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Scott John Riddell

Postdoc
School of Engineering and Natural Sciences
Land- og ferðamálafræðistofa
Adjunct Lecturer
School of Engineering and Natural Sciences
Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences
E-mail
Office
Askja -  N-159
Speciality
Abstract

I am currently based in the Department of Geography & Tourism, Faculty of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Iceland, where I teach Physical Geography and pursue palaeoecological research. I am particularly interested in the integration of palynology with archaeological investigation and historical sources. The year 2025 witnesses the beginning of a new project “The birch woods of Iceland: looking back, looking forward”, exploring the history of a number of birch woodlands in Iceland utilising pollen and sedaDNA data, archaeological survey and excavation, and ecological survey. I am also involved with Transice: The Rise and Fall of Transhumance in Iceland 800–1800 (https://transice.hi.is/), Samspil manns og náttúru (https://bmn.hi.is/), and the Árnarvatnsheiði: Land Development Project. I originate from West Lothian, Scotland, and prior to living in Iceland, I pursued a career in Scotland, first with Scottish Natural Heritage as a Site Conservation Manager (Strathclyde), and then with South Lanarkshire Council (effectively the upper Clyde valley), as a Biodiversity Officer. In effect, I have a broad knowledge of the environment and ecology of Scotland’s Central Belt; especially its Ancient Semi-Natural Woodlands and surviving Lowland Raised Bogs.

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Education
  • 2023 PhD University of Iceland Geography
  • 2014 MA University of Iceland Archaeology
  • 2000 MSc. University of Edinburgh Environmental Sustainability
  • 1998 BSc. (hons.) University of Stirling Environmental Science
Courses 2024 - 2025