Dr Emilia Urbanek

• Temporal and Spatial Variability of Vegetation Flammability in South Wales (current)

  PhD

  Other supervisor: Prof Stefan Doerr

• How soil amendments used in carbon capture effect the soil physical properties and hydrology (current)

  PhD

  Other supervisor: Prof Bernd Kulessa

• Carbon impacts of blanket bog afforestation and post-harvest peatland restoration (current)

  PhD

  Other supervisor: Dr Jon Walker

  Other supervisor: Prof Cynthia Froyd

• Ionic dynamics of stemflow on oak trees during a growing season in South Wales, UK. (awarded 2024)

  MSc

  Other supervisor: Prof Rory Walsh

• GEC252L Geographical Fieldwork Skills: Local

  Nod y modiwl yw ennill profiad o'r sgiliau daearyddol y mae eu hangen i archwilio'r amgylcheddau daearyddiaeth ffisegol a dynol o'n cwmpas. Defnyddiwn ein hasedau daearyddol lleol a rhanbarthol sylweddol i archwilio nifer o themâu ym maes daearyddiaeth ddynol a ffisegol. Y nodau cyffredinol yw nodi, dadansoddi a meithrin dealltwriaeth o'r dirwedd ddaearyddol amrywiol a¿r nodweddion cynhenid yn Abertawe a de Cymru. Mae'r modiwl yn cynnwys hyd at 10 niwrnod maes 'dewis a dethol', gyda thema daearyddiaeth ddynol, daearyddiaeth ffisegol neu ddaearyddiaeth ddynol a ffisegol. Gofynnir i fyfyrwyr ddewis mynd i 4 o'r diwrnodau maes. Bydd myfyrwyr sy¿n dilyn y modiwl hwn yn ennill profiad mewn dylunio ymchwil, methodolegau, dadansoddi data a dulliau cyflwyno. Gall myfyrwyr sy'n dilyn y cwrs maes hwn ddewis canolbwyntio ar naill ai elfennau daearyddiaeth ffisegol neu ddynol neu'r diwrnodau dynol/ffisegol cymysg, neu gymysgedd o'r tri. Mae'r cwrs yn hyblyg iawn o ganlyniad i'r ystod o bynciau y gallwn eu harchwilio yn yr ardal leol a rhanbarthol. Bydd deunyddiau darlith a deunyddiau ar-lein yn ategu pob diwrnod maes. Cynhelir y diwrnodau ar adegau gwahanol yn ystod y Semester a'r myfyrwyr eu hunain fydd yn cadw eu lle ar y diwrnodau maes o'u dewis. Thema'r daith yw "De Cymru: Amgylcheddau, Tirweddau, Treftadaeth a Chymuned". The module is concerned with gaining experience of the geographical skills needed to explore the physical and human geography environments around us. We use our considerable local and regional geographical assets to explore multiple themes in human and physical geography. The general aims are to observe, analyse and achieve an understanding of the varied geographical landscape and inherent features in Swansea and South Wales. The module is run via up to 10 'pick and mix' field days, with a human, physical or human and physical geography theme. Students will be required to chose 4 of the field days to attend. Students taking this module will gain experience in research design, methodologies, data analysis and presentation methods. Students taking this field course can choose to focus on either the physical or human geography elements or the mixed human/physical days, or a mix of all three. Maximum flexibility is afforded by the range of topics we can explore in the local and regional area. Each day will be accompanied by online and lecture materials. The days will be run at various times in the Semester and students will book on to their chosen field days independently. The theme of the trip is "South Wales: Environments, Landscapes, Heritage and Community".

• GEG132 Introduction to Earth Systems

  This module forms an essential foundation for more advanced study of physical geography and environmental sciences. It introduces the four main Earth systems: the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and geosphere. It provides a sound understanding of the processes within each system, and the interactions between them. The geosphere section introduces topics like the origin of Earth, plate tectonics and describes the distribution of different rock types and processes occurring in the geosphere. The biosphere section deals mainly with flows of energy and nutrients between Earth systems. The atmosphere section deals with flows of energy and moisture and their role in controlling climate over both space and time. The hydrosphere section focuses on the concepts of the hydrological cycle and the main processes associated with the water fluxes. In addition, the main properties and functions of soil, and the formation of different soil types worldwide are introduced. At the end of the module the changes in climate in the past, current and future, proxies of climate change are included.

• GEG277 Geographical Methods and Data Analysis

  This core 20-credit module introduces a variety of physical and human geography methods, along with data analysis. The module builds upon student knowledge and covers research design, data collection and data analysis. Students are introduced to a range of lab and field techniques in physical and / or human geography along with statistical analysis. They gain experience in describing, interpreting and presenting the results.

• GEG283 Sustainable Land Management

  Sustainable Land Management course focuses on understanding and maintaining of the environmental values of LAND and SOIL for food production, water quality, flood defence and climate regulation. To understand the Sustainable Land Management the basic understanding of SOIL properties, functions will be introduced followed by the main threads and challenges to soil health connected with climate change and incorrect land management. Case studies of Sustainable Land Management in agriculture, fire prevention and mitigation, peatland restoration and land remediation will be showcased and discussed. The module will contain a series of lectures, workshops and field visit.

• GEGM07 Environmental Dynamics

  This module aims to explain and understand past, present and potential future changes in the Earth's climate and environment. It provides a broad approach to environmental processes and dynamics operating on land, in the oceans and in the atmosphere on a global and regional scale. Emphasis is placed on the evidence available for reconstructing past environmental dynamics, the implications for present-day processes, future predictions and likely impacts.

• Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship – ‘Soil carbon dynamics in water repellent soils – C mineralization and CO2 efflux’ 2012 - 2018

  , £450k

• Royal Society – Research grant ‘Soil C dynamics in water repellent soils: quantifying methane fluxes (MetFlux)’ 2013 - 2016

  , £105k

• Senior Lecturer, Department of Geography, Swansea University

  October 2017 - Present

• Royal Society Research Fellow – Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship, Swansea University

  October 2012 - September 2018

• Honorary Research Fellow, Swansea University

  March 2012 - September 2012

• Research Officer, DESIRE, Swansea University

  May 2007 - March 2012

• Career break (maternity leave), Swansea University

  January 2008 - July 2008

• Career break (maternity leave), Swansea University

  September 2010 - March 2011

• Research Officer, Water Re-Use, Swansea University

  September 2006 - April 2007

• Research Assistant, Inst. of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, Christian Albrecht University, Kiel, Germany

  December 2002 - May 2006

I’m a co-organiser and a former speaker at Swansea Soapbox Science

I’m engaging with local schools and previously collaborated with the local primary school on the project ‘Soils are great!’ project funded by the Royal Society.

15.05.2017 – 15.07.2017 Pacific Northwest National Laboratory – Richland, USA

3.3.2014 – 30.04.2014 Institute of Agrophysics – Lublin/Poland

1.03.2005 – 30.05.2005 Scottish Crop Research Institute – Dundee/UK

1.2.2002 – 30.7.2002 Socrates-Erasmus Student Exchange – University of Kiel/Germany

01.10.2017 – ongoing PGCert Teaching in Higher Education

01.12.2002 – 04.05.2006 Christian-Albrecht-University CAU in Kiel/Germany, Institute for Plant Nutrition and Soil Science – PhD. Studies

04.05.2006 PhD promotion

PhD thesis: “Management effects on carbon distribution in soil aggregates and its consequences on water repellency and mechanical strength”

01.10.1996 – 14.08.2002 Technical University of Lublin/Poland, Environmental Protection – Water Supply and Sewage System – MSc. MSc Thesis: “Shrinkage and swelling of the clay soils used as a sealing layer at the waste deposit”

2017 Royal Society Public engagement Fund (funded £1600)

2017 Royal Society Enhancement Award (funded £14500)

2016 Royal Society Scientific Discussion Meeting (funded £5000)

2015 Swansea PI for EU Twinning Project

2012 Royal Society Research Grant for First Year Fellows (funded £105k)

2012 The Leverhulme Trust – Early Career Fellowship

2012 Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship (funded £450k)

2011 NERC standard grant, Research Co-I

2010 NERC postdoctoral fellowship (shortlisted to the interview stage)

2009 NERC postdoctoral fellowship (shortlisted to the interview stage)

2010-2011 British Council ‘Treaty of Windsor’, Co-I (funded £1000)

04. 2007 Royal Society Conference Grant (funded £1000)