I am a geomorphologist with expertise in landslide mechanics, hillslope hydrology and development of environmental models. I am seeking to improve our understanding of the timing, size and location of landslides on natural slopes. I specialise in: 1) development of new models to examine the drivers and impacts of landslides, 2) development and application of remote sensing tools to collect landslide data; and 3) application of these models and datasets to address real problems for those exposed to landslide hazards worldwide. I also have an ongoing interest in hillslope and catchment hydrology not only for its impact on landslides but also for its role in controlling fluxes of water (and thus floods) and solutes (and thus pollutant concentrations) across landscapes. I am currently a Research Fellow in the Geotechnics and Structures Group in the School of Engineering.

Professional History

since June 2018: Lecturer in Civil Engineering in the School of Engineering

June 2018 to June 2023: Newcastle University Research Fellow in the School of Engineering

Sept 2014 to June 2018: Temporary Lecturer in the Department of Geography at Durham University

Dec 2013 to June 2018: Research Associate in the Department of Geography at Durham University

Dec 2010 to Dec 2013: NERC Independent Research Fellow at Durham University and University of California, Berkeley (Jan-Dec 2012).

Sept 2008 to Dec 2010: Research Associate in the Department of Geography at Durham University

Academic Qualifications

2004-8: PhD in Physical Geography at Durham University: “Modelling shallow landslides: the importance of hydrological controls and lateral reinforcement”.

2000-2003: BSc in Geography at Leeds University.

Memberships 

Member of British Society for Geomorphology (2004-)

Member of American Geophysical Union (2006-)

Member of European Geosciences Union (2011-)

NERC Peer Review College (2012–)

Industrial Experience 

I have experience of working with industry through a number of consultancy contracts over the past 15 years, generally focused on water quality (SCIMAP applications) and natural flood management impacts for: Moors For The Future Partnership, Northumbrian Water Ltd, Lune Rivers Trust and the Environment Agency.

Outreach 

I have been involved in a number of outreach activities speaking, showing beautiful (and sometimes terrifying) video and providing mini-demonstrations at venues from lecture theatres to pubs to schools.

On the web 

Google Scholar:https://scholar.google.co.uk/citations?user=0XykQl0AAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao

Researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/David_Milledge

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4077-4898

Research Interests

Landslides are responsible for thousands of fatalities and millions of pounds of damage annually and are the dominant agent for erosion in steep landscapes worldwide. The geomorphic effect and destructive potential of landslides is driven by their timing, size and location. As a mathematically minded geomorphologist with expertise in landslide mechanics I am seeking to improve our understanding of the timing, size and location of landslides on natural slopes. I specialise in development of simple mathematical models to examine the drivers and impacts of landslides, in the development and application of remote sensing tools to collect landslide data; and in the application of these models and dataset to address real problems for those exposed to landslide hazards worldwide. I also have an ongoing interest in catchment hydrology and in particular in the impact of natural flood management on streamflow. Some areas of current or recent research include:

Analytical slope stability models

Landslides and landscape evolution

Landslide size and shape

Interactions between climate, vegetation and geomorphic processes (especially landslides)

Landslide detection from optical and SAR satellite imagery

Simple rules for landslide hazard

Co-seismic loess landslides

Landslide forecasting from rainfall characteristics and ground surface displacement

I am always looking for enthusiastic and curious potential PhD students with an academic background in earth or environmental science, hydrology, geotechnical engineering, geography, mathematics or physics. If you are interested in landslides and their drivers or impacts, please contact me: [email protected]

Fellowships and other Prizes

American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing Leica Geosystems Prize (2008)

NERC Postdoctoral fellowship (2010-13)

PhD Students (co-supervised)

Current Students 

2018: Ellen Robson (Engineering) “Use of novel non-linear slope profiles to mitigate against landslides in developing countries” with Prof Stefano Utili (Engineering, Newcastle) and Prof Densmore (Geography, Durham).

2018: Andrea Agosti (Engineering) “Innovative design of open cast mines in weak rocks” with Prof Stefano Utili (Engineering).

2019: Inga Sirbu (Engineering) "Medical imaging of Soil -Water processes" with Dr Ross Stirling (Engineering) and Dr James Knight (Natural and Environmental Sciences).

2020: Chao Zhang (Engineering) "Investigating adhesion and electrical conductivity of wheel-rail contact using discrete element method" with Dr Sadegh Nadimi (Engineering).

Service

I have been a member of the NERC peer review college since 2012 and have reviewed grants for NERC and for ETH Zurich. I have provided peer reviews for >15 different journals ranging from technical remote sensing journals (e.g. IJRS) to those that specialise in geomorphology (e.g. ESPL, JGR-ES) or Hydrology (e.g. Jnl of Hydrology, WRR).

Recent Research Grants 

2017-2022 “Optimising NFM in headwater catchments to protect downstream communities”. With Prof Evans and Dr Allott (Manchester); and Prof Holden (Leeds). NERC. MILLEDGE PI at Newcastle. £286,627.

2013-15: “Making Space for Water 2: Providing evidence of the success of blanket bog restoration (gully blocking and re-vegetation) in reducing flood risk”. With Prof Evans and Dr Allott (Manchester). DEFRA and EA funded project. MILLEDGE PI at Durham. £52,200 to Durham.

2011-15: “Ecological integrity and sustainability in the Ganges river basin” with Prof Sinha (IIT Kanpur) and Dr Carbonneau (Durham). UKIERI. MILLEDGE CO-I. £20,060.

2010-2013: “Understanding transient response to climate change in coupled hydro-eco-geomorphic landscapes”. NERC Independent Research Fellowship. MILLEDGE PI. £246,126.

2010: “Building adaptive strategies for environmental change in river catchments”, with, Prof Pain and Dr Whitman (all at Durham). RELU. MILLEDGE CO-I. £153,120

• Articles

  • Goudarzi S, Milledge D, Holden J, Evans M, Allott T, Johnston A, Shuttleworth E, Kay M, Brown D, Rees J, Edokpa D. Natural flood management through peatland restoration: Catchment‐scale modeling of past and future scenarios in Glossop, UK. Water Resources Research 2024, 60(8), e2024WR037320.
  • Robson EB, Milledge DG, Utili S, Brundl M. Cost-benefit methodology for road slope stabilisation. Transportation Geotechnics 2024, 48, 101282.
  • Zhang C, Maramizonouz S, Milledge D, Nadimi S. An Electro-Mechanical Contact Model for Particulate Systems. Powder Technology 2024, 440, 119759.
  • Zhang C, Nadimi S, Maramizonouz S, Milledge D, Lewis R. A Discrete Element Model of High-Pressure Torsion Test to Assess the Effect of Particle Characteristics in the Interface. ASME Journal of Tribology 2024, 146(8), 081501.
  • Robson E, Milledge D, Utili S, Dattola G. A Computationally Efficient Method to Determine the Probability of Rainfall-Triggered Cut Slope Failure Accounting for Upslope Hydrological Conditions. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering 2024, epub ahead of print.
  • Goudarzi S, Milledge DG, Holden J. A Generalized Multistep Dynamic (GMD) TOPMODEL. Water Resources Research 2023, 59(1), e2022WR032198.
  • Edokpa D, Milledge D, Allott T, Holden J, Shuttleworth E, Kay M, Johnston A, Millin-Chalabi G, Scott-Campbell M, Chandler D, Freestone J, Evans M. Rainfall intensity and catchment size control storm runoff in a gullied blanket peatland. Journal of Hydrology 2022, 609, 127688.
  • Geng H, Hong Y, Milledge DG, Pan B, Guo Y. Frost cracking dictated landslide distribution in response to temperature change since Last Glacial Maximum across the Eastern Qilian Mountains. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 2022, 47(13), 3163-3179.
  • Milledge DG, Bellugi DG, Watt J, Densmore AL. Automated determination of landslide locations after large trigger events: Advantages and disadvantages compared to manual mapping. Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences 2022, 22(2), 481-508.
  • Robson E, Agosti A, Utili S, Milledge D. A methodology for road cutting design guidelines based on field observations. Engineering Geology 2022, 307, 106771.
  • Burrows K, Milledge D, Walters RJ, Bellugi D. Integrating empirical models and satellite radar can improve landslide detection for emergency response. Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences 2021, 21(10), 2993-3014.
  • Bellugi DG, Milledge DG, Cuffey KM, Dietrich WE, Larsen LG. Controls on the size distributions of shallow landslides. Proceedings of the Natinal Academy of Sciences 2021, 118(9), e2021855118.
  • Li Y, Utili S, Milledge D, Chen L, Yin K. Chasing a complete understanding of the failure mechanisms and potential hazards of the slow moving Liangshuijing landslide. Engineering Geology 2021, 281, 105977.
  • Goudarzi S, Milledge DG, Holden J, Evans MG, Allott TEH, Shuttleworth EL, Pilkington M, Walker J. Blanket‐peat restoration: numerical study of the underlying processes delivering Natural Flood Management benefits. Water Resources Research 2021, 57(4), e2020WR029209.
  • Su G-W, Rodgers J, Tian Q, Qi W-H, England P, Sim T, Young J, Wang D-M, Li Z-Q, Feng X-J, Sun L, Chen K, So E, Parsons B, Zhao J-L, Shi J-L, Yuan Z-X, Yue C, Zhou Q, Wei B-Y, Milledge D, Densmore A. The participatory construction of a seismic scenario for Weinan city: A pilot action research to address the improvement of earthquake disaster risk reduction in China参与式渭南地震情景构建: 中国地震风险对策的行动研究示范. Dizhen Dizhi 2020, 42(6), 1446-1473.
  • Dai K, Li Z, Xu Q, Bürgmann R, Milledge DG, Tomás R, Fan X, Zhao X, Liu X, Peng J, Zhang Q, Wang Z, Qu T, He C, Li D, Liu J. Entering the Era of Earth Observation-Based Landslide Warning Systems: A Novel and Exciting Framework. IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Magazine 2020, 8(1), 136-153.
  • Burrows K, Walters RJ, Milledge D, Densmore AL. A systematic exploration of satellite radar coherence methods for rapid landslide detection. Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences 2020, 20(11), 3197-3214.
  • Milledge DG, Densmore AL, Bellugi D, Rosser NJ, Watt J, Li G, Oven KJ. Simple rules to minimize exposure to coseismic landslide hazard. Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences 2019, 19(4), 837-856.
  • Shuttleworth EL, Evans MG, Pilkington M, Spencer T, Walker J, Milledge D, Allott TE. Restoration of blanket peat moorland delays stormflow from hillslopes and reduces peak discharge. Journal of Hydrology X 2019, 2, 100006.
  • Rodgers J, Su G, Qi W, Milledge D, Densmore A, Davis C, England P, Young J, Cao Y, Chakos A, Li X, Sim T, So E, Parsons B, Sun L, Yu J, Guo C. Creating an earthquake scenario in China: A case study in Weinan City, Shaanxi province. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction 2019, 42, 101305.
  • Burrows K, Walters RJ, Milledge D, Spaans K, Densmore AL. A new method for large-scale landslide classification from satellite radar. Remote Sensing 2019, 11(3), 237.
  • Williams JG, Rosser NJ, Kincey ME, Benjamin J, Oven KJ, Densmore AL, Milledge DG, Robinson TR, Jordan CA, Dikjstra TA. Satellite-based emergency mapping: landslides triggered by the 2015 Nepal earthquake. Natural Hazards and Earth Systems Science 2018, 18(1), 185-205.
  • Williams JG, Rosser NJ, Kincey ME, Benjamin J, Oven KJ, Densmore AL, Milledge DG, Robinson TR, Jordan CA, Dijkstra TA. Satellite-based emergency mapping using optical imagery: experience and reflections from the 2015 Nepal earthquakes. Natural hazards and earth system sciences 2018, 18, 185-205.
  • Milledge DG, Gurjar SK, Bunce JT, Tare V, Sinha R, Carbonneau PE. Population density controls on microbial pollution across the Ganga catchment. Water Research 2018, 128, 82-91.
  • Zhuang J, Peng J, Xu C, Li Z, Densmore A, Milledge D, Iqbal J, Cui Y. Distribution and characteristics of loess landslides triggered by the 1920 Haiyuan Earthquake, Northwest of China. Geomorphology 2018, 314, 1-12.
  • Davies TRH, Beaven S, Conradson D, Densmore AL, Gaillard JC, Johnston D, Milledge D, Oven KJ, Petley D, Rigg J, Robinson TR, Rosser NJ, Wilson TM. Towards disaster resilience: A scenario-based approach to co-producing and integrating hazard and risk knowledge. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction 2015, 13, 242-247.
  • Geng H, Pan B, Milledge DG, Huang B, Zhang G. Quantifying sheet wash erosion rates in a mountainous semi‐arid basin using environmental radionuclides and a stream power model. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 2015, 40(13), 1814-1826.
  • Bellugi D, Milledge DG, Dietrich WE, Perron JT, McKean J. Predicting shallow landslide size and location across a natural landscape: Application of a spectral clustering search algorithm. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface 2015, 120(12), 2552-2585.
  • Whitman GP, Pain R, Milledge DG. Going with the flow? Using participatory action research in physical geography. Progress in Physical Geography 2015, 39(5), 622-639.
  • Bellugi D, Milledge DG, Dietrich WE, McKean JA, Perron JT, Sudderth EB, Kazian B. A spectral clustering search algorithm for predicting shallow landslide size and location. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface 2015, 120(2), 300-324.
  • Milledge DG, Bellugi D, McKean JA, Densmore AL, Dietrich WE. A multidimensional stability model for predicting shallow landslide size and shape across landscapes. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface 2014, 119(11), 2481-2504.

• Report

  • Milledge D, Goudarzi S, Dixon S. Water Environment Grant-Building Blocks: Hydrological Analysis to Prioritise Gully Block Locations. Newcastle University, 2020.

• Working Paper

  • Oven KJ, Milledge DG, Densmore AL, Jones H, Sargeant S, Datta A. Earthquake science in DRR policy and practice in Nepal. 2016, 1-35.