I utilise remote sensing and geomatics to study glacial and periglacial environments in Norway and other high-mountain regions worldwide. My research is divided into two primary areas:

1. Quantifying Glacial and Periglacial Changes Over Time
   Using advanced photogrammetry and topographic analysis, I assess changes in glacial environments using historical aerial imagery, Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), LiDAR, and satellite data. By integrating diverse datasets, I reconstruct how glaciers and rock glaciers have evolved since the mid-20th century. My work spans Norway, Chile, Nepal, and the European Alps. Additionally, I lead seasonal glacier monitoring initiatives at key Norwegian sites, employing a fleet of quadcopters, fixed-wing drones, and specialised sensors.
2. Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI)
   I apply machine learning techniques to geospatial data to automate the identification of complex landforms such as rock glaciers and landslides. My research also explores the reliability and trustworthiness of GeoAI algorithms, ensuring they can be effectively applied to real-world challenges in geomorphological studies.

Supervision of PhD and MSc Students

PhD Supervision:

• Daniel Thomas – GeoAI mapping of rock glaciers.
• Yiyao Chen – Snow-depth predictions using GeoAI and time-series analysis.

Co-Supervision:

• Julien Vadrais – GeoAI for natural hydrocarbon seepage analysis using SAR imagery.
• Nina Hecej – Automated landslide detection.
• Sunil Tamang (University of Canterbury, New Zealand) – Trustworthiness and reliability of GeoAI for rock glacier mapping.

MSc Supervision:

I have supervised over 15 MSc students at UiB, focusing on a wide array of geospatial topics, from glacier monitoring to the application of GeoAI in geomorphological studies.

I co-run the UiB Geospatial community which organises seminars, workshops, and invites guest lecturers to Bergen.

I contribute to the following courses, offering students a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills:

• GEOV205/GEO215 (Course-responsible) – Introduction to Geographical Information Systems: Theory and Practice
  An in-depth course exploring the fundamentals of GIS, including hands-on applications in geospatial data analysis.
• GEOV336/GEO313 – Field and Laboratory Methods in Quaternary Geology
  Focused on fieldwork and laboratory techniques for studying Quaternary sediments and landforms.
• GEOV316 (Course Responsible)– Practical Skills in Remote Sensing
  A practical course covering remote sensing technologies and their applications in Earth sciences.
• GEOV217 – Geohazards
  Contributions to the modules on using GIS and Geomatics to study natural hazards. 
• GEOV325 – Glaciology
  Contribution related to using satellite data to map glaciers, as well as using drones to survey glaciers in the field.
• GEOV181 – Introduction to Earth Science and Informatics
  An introductory course combining Earth science fundamentals with computational techniques and data management. 

Additional Teaching Initiatives

I have also organised and co-organised methods-based summer schools, focusing on innovative techniques and applications, including:

• The use of Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for cryospheric monitoring
• Machine learning applications in glaciology.
• Methods for palaeoenvironmental investigations.

These initiatives aim to provide students and researchers with hands-on experience and cutting-edge skills to advance their understanding of Earth systems.

Academic lecture

• Åkesson, Henning; Sjursen, Kamilla Hauknes; Andreassen, Liss Marie et al. (2024). History and future demise of Jostedalsbreen, the largest ice cap in mainland Europe. (external link)
• Racoviteanu, Adina E.; Miles, Evan; Davies, Bethan et al. (2023). Intercomparison of remotely sensed methods for delineation of high mountain debris-covered glaciers using machine learning. (external link)
• Andreassen, Liss Marie; Gillespie, Mette Kusk; Melvold, Kjetil et al. (2023). Present changes of Jostedalsbreen, Norway-s largest ice cap. (external link)
• Andreassen, Liss Marie; Elvehøy, Hallgeir; Kjøllmoen, Bjarne et al. (2022). Changes of Jostedalsbreen Ice Cap LIA 1966-2020. (external link)
• Lee, Hanna; Ekici, Altug; Robson, Benjamin Aubrey et al. (2018). Vulnerability of permafrost thaw and the emerging risks for the Arctic infrastructure. (external link)

Academic article

• Nielsen, Pål Ringkjøb; Dahl, Svein Olaf; Prestegård, Ingvild Skodvin et al. (2024). Intensified Late-Holocene aeolian activity in Vesterålen, northern Norway – increased storminess or human impact?. (external link)
• Engen, Siri H.; Gjerde, Marthe; Scheiber, Thomas et al. (2024). Investigation of the 2010 rock avalanche onto the regenerated glacier Brenndalsbreen, Norway. (external link)
• Seier, Gernot; Abermann, Jakob; Andreassen, Liss Marie et al. (2023). Glacier thinning, recession and advance, and the associated evolution of a glacial lake between 1966 and 2021 at Austerdalsbreen, western Norway. (external link)
• Andreassen, Liss Marie; Robson, Benjamin Aubrey; Sjursen, Kamilla Hauknes et al. (2023). Spatio-temporal variability in geometry and geodetic mass balance of Jostedalsbreen ice cap, Norway. (external link)
• Thomas, Daniel Jack; Robson, Benjamin Aubrey; Racoviteanu, Adina E. (2023). An integrated deep learning and object-based image analysis approach for mapping debris-covered glaciers. (external link)
• Wangchuk, Sonam; Bolch, Tobias; Robson, Benjamin Aubrey (2022). Monitoring glacial lake outburst flood susceptibility using Sentinel-1 SAR data, Google Earth Engine, and persistent scatterer interferometry. (external link)
• Robson, Benjamin Aubrey; Hölbling, Daniel; Nielsen, Pål Ringkjøb et al. (2022). Estimating the volume of the 1978 Rissa quick clay landslide in Central Norway using historical aerial imagery. (external link)
• Hart, Jane K.; Young, David S.; Baurley, Nathaniel R. et al. (2022). The seasonal evolution of subglacial drainage pathways beneath a soft-bedded glacier. (external link)
• Racoviteanu, Adina E.; Glasser, Neil F.; Robson, Benjamin Aubrey et al. (2022). Recent Evolution of Glaciers in the Manaslu Region of Nepal From Satellite Imagery and UAV Data (1970–2019). (external link)
• Vivero, Sebastián; Bodin, Xavier; David, Farías et al. (2021). Combination of Aerial, Satellite, and UAV Photogrammetry for Quantifying Rock Glacier Kinematics in the Dry Andes of Chile (30°S) Since the 1950s. (external link)
• Stefaniak, Anne; Robson, Benjamin Aubrey; Cook, Simon James et al. (2021). Mass balance and surface evolution of the debris-covered Miage Glacier, 1990 - 2018 . (external link)
• Bhatta, Kuber Prasad; Robson, Benjamin Aubrey; Suwal, Madan Krishna et al. (2021). A pan-Himalayan test of predictions on plant species richness based on primary production and water-energy dynamics. (external link)
• Baurley, Nathaniel; Robson, Benjamin Aubrey; Hart, Jane K. (2020). Long‐term impact of the proglacial lake Jökulsárlón on the flow velocity and stability of Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, Iceland. (external link)
• Robson, Benjamin Aubrey; Bolch, Tobias; MacDonell, Shelley et al. (2020). Automated detection of rock glaciers using deep learning and object-based image analysis. (external link)
• Hart, Jane K; Martinez, Kirk; Basford, Philip J et al. (2019). Surface melt driven summer diurnal and winter multi-day stick-slip motion and till sedimentology. (external link)
• Bolch, Tobias; Rohrbach, Nico; Kutuzov, Stanislav et al. (2018). Occurrence, evolution and ice content of ice‐debris complexes in the Ak‐Shiirak, Central Tien Shan revealed by geophysical and remotely‐sensed investigations. (external link)
• Robson, Benjamin Aubrey; Nuth, Christopher; Nielsen, Pål Ringkjøb et al. (2018). Spatial variability in patterns of glacier change across the Manaslu Range, Central Himalaya. (external link)
• Hart, Jane; Clayton, Alexander; Martinez, Kirk et al. (2018). Erosional and depositional subglacial streamlining processes at Skálafellsjökull, Iceland: an analogue for a new bedform continuum model. (external link)
• Robson, Benjamin Aubrey; Hölbling, Daniel; Nuth, Christopher et al. (2016). Decadal scale changes in Glacier area in the Hohe Tauern national park (Austria) determined by object-based image analysis. (external link)
• Robson, Benjamin Aubrey; Nuth, Christopher; Dahl, Svein Olaf et al. (2015). Automated classification of debris-covered glaciers combining optical, SAR and topographic data in an object-based environment . (external link)

Website (informational material)

• Robson, Benjamin Aubrey; Kong, Yuen Man (2023). Summer school on cryospheric monitoring and paleoenvironmental reconstructions. (external link)

Doctoral dissertation

• Robson, Benjamin Aubrey; Dahl, Svein Olaf (2016). Quantification and Change Assessment of Debris-Covered Glaciers using Remote Sensing. (external link)

Lecture

• Robson, Benjamin Aubrey; Nuth, Christopher; Dahl, Svein Olaf et al. (2014). Combining Spectral, Topographic And Sar Coherence Data Within An Object Based Classification Environment For The Automatic Classification Of Debris Covered Ice. (external link)

See a complete overview of publications in Cristin.

Please visit my Google Scholar profile to view an updated publication list

Current Projects

As Principal Investigator:

• SnowAI
  Enhancing Snow Property Estimation with GeoAI and High-Resolution Satellite Data
  (Funded by the Akademia Agreement)
  This project employs time-series data from freely available SAR and optical satellite imagery within a GeoAI framework to predict snowpack properties in Western Norway. It also explores the impacts of snowpack variability on the cryosphere and biosphere.
• CO-INVENT
  A Collaborative Study of Cryo-Climatology in the Glaciated Himalayan Region
  (Funded by HKDIR)
  In collaboration with IIT Roorkee and JNU New Delhi, this project focuses on cryo-climatology research and education in the Indian Himalayas.
• Integrating Artificial Intelligence in Earth Sciences
  (Funded by the University of Bergen)
  An educational initiative to integrate GeoAI and geomatics into Earth Science curricula at UiB, equipping students with cutting-edge skills in spatial analysis and mapping.

As Co-Principal Investigator:

• ROGER
  EO-Based Rock Glacier Mapping and Characterisation
  (Funded by FFG Austria)
  This project applies GeoAI to identify and study rock glaciers in Svalbard and the Austrian Alps.
• JOSTICE
  Natural and Societal Impacts of Climate-Driven Changes in the Jostedalsbreen Ice Cap
  (Funded by NFR)
  As part of Work Package 2, I analyse archival aerial imagery and UAV data to study the evolution of the Jostedalsbreen Ice Cap.