Heather Viles
Biographic Data
| ID | 132535 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Heather Viles |
| GIVEN NAMES | Heather |
| FAMILY NAME | Viles |
| SIGNATURE | VILES H |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Oxford |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-2444-1295 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 29 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 68 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 29 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1990 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 5 |
Should academic success be redefined amidst the climate and environmental crisis? A dialogue between five UK geographers
The academic geographical community is well acquainted with the reality of the current climate and environmental crisis. As such, geographers, higher education institutions and geographical organisations arguably should take a greater lead in responding to this crisis. This raises concerns about how such responses fit into academics' ‘core’ job activities, especially given concern about escalating workloads. What mix of activities could or should…
Influence of salt (NaCl) on hydric and hygric dilatation of clay-rich rocks
Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) Medals and Awards celebration 2020 and 2021
The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) annual Medals and Awards recognise achievements in researching, communicating and teaching a wide range of geographical knowledge. The speeches and citations are a record of both the 2020 and 2021 celebrations, which were delayed and combined because of COVID-19, with contributions from Heather Viles, Andy Eavis, Rita Gardner, Jonathan Rigg, Chris Philo, Peter Kraftl, Patricia Noxolo, Emma Mawdsley and Ni…
Moisture monitoring of stone masonry
Water is a fundamental control on the deterioration of historic stone masonry , of which wind-driven rain (WDR) is an important source in the UK. Non-destructive testing methods for moisture measurement can characterise the response of masonry to short (but intense) periods of wind-driven rain. An important part of this response is how masonry functions as a system of stone units and mortar joints , in which mortar can act as a conduit for moistu…
Reconceptualising the relationships between heritage and environment within an Earth System Science framework
Purpose This paper questions the common perception within heritage science that the environment is seen primarily as a risk factor that can change or impact heritage. The purpose of this paper is to reconceptualise the relationship between heritage and the environment within an Earth System Science framework, enabling a more sustainable approach for understanding and conserving heritage sites to be implemented. Design/methodology/approach To expl…
A comparison of standard and realistic curing conditions of natural hydraulic lime repointing mortar for damp masonry
Environmental conditions can affect the curing and performance of lime mortars. Especially in the case of natural hydraulic lime (NHL) mortars to be used for repointing in exposed conditions, it is essential to assess what if any differences these environmental conditions would make to mortar properties through laboratory evaluations before repointing work begins. This study considers a specific historic environment: traditional masonry exposed t…
An Assessment of the Role of an Open Shelter in Reducing Soiling and Microbial Growth on the Archaeological Site of the Bishop’s Palace, Witney, England
Two sets of twelve Portland limestone tablets were attached to carousels outside and under the open, lightweight shelter at Bishop’s Palace (Witney, England) for 18 months to assess the influence of shelters on soiling and microbiological growth on stone. At the start, and at 6-month intervals, tablets were analysed using microscopy (optical and SEM), colour measurement (spectrophotometry), weight change measurement and salt content determination…
Ozymandias in the Anthropocene
The extent of urban areas is rapidly expanding across the globe, both horizontally and vertically. While natural and social scientists have examined the impacts of this urbanisation on earth system and social processes, to date researchers have largely overlooked how in turn earth system processes can act on this urban fabric to produce hybrid landforms. Unique pseudokarst landforms are found within the urban fabric, including urban stalactites a…
Catastrophic Limestone Decay at the Central Sanctuary of Iupiter Dolichenus at Dülük Baba Tepesi in Southern Turkey
Dramatic deterioration of Hellenistic-Roman limestone remains recently excavated at Dülük Baba Tepesi (Southern Turkey) has been observed following the cold, wet winter of 2011/2012. A conceptual model is presented to explain the dramatic deterioration in which case hardening develops and initially strengthens the stone against deterioration, but then makes it more prone to exfoliation and blistering. Data collected using non-destructive techniqu…
Salt Weathering in the Namib
Landscapes and Landforms of Namibia
Understanding Dryland Landscape Dynamics
Understanding landscape dynamics in arid and semi-arid areas is becoming increasingly important, as global change threatens to upset linked ecological and geomorphological systems with potentially serous impacts on livelihoods and environments. Biological crusts (composed of lichens, algae, fungi and bacteria) cover many rock, soil and sediment surfaces in arid and semi-arid areas and provide a key to understanding future dryland landscape dynami…
How wet are these walls? Testing a novel technique for measuring moisture in ruined walls
Does Area keep you awake at night
Life as an academic today can be hugely stressful and there are many things that cause us sleepless nights, such as worrying about the RAE, a difficult Head of Department, the problems of getting research funding, or the lack of time to prepare for teaching. When I took on the job of Co-Editor of Area with responsibility for physical and environmental geography in January 2001 I wondered whether it would be yet another trigger for those 3 am pani…
Editors’ report 2003
This report covers the period January 2003–December 2003. This has been yet another good year for Area. During the calendar year 2003, the Journals Office handled 81 new submissions, and 16 submissions were still active from the previous year. The 81 new submissions comprised 72 articles, compared to 63 in 2002, and 9 observations and commentaries, compared to 7 in 2002. The submission rate in 2003 was 6.75 items per month, compared to 5.8 in 200…
Integrated digital photography and image processing for the quantification of colouration on soiled limestone surfaces in Oxford, England
African environments themed papers
Editors’ report 2002
Salt Weathering Hazards
Coastal and Estuarine Management
The coast cannot be left to nature to determine its fate. Wealth, property, economic interests, recreation, tourism and wildlife are all threatened. Coasts are an administrative battle ground and one of the most important and widely examined topics in environmental management.Coastal and Estuarine Management examines the issues surrounding the human use and abuse of estuarine and coastal environments. Emphasising the importance and significance o…
The Earth Transformed
The earth transformed: an introduction to human impacts on the environment , The earth transformed: an introduction to human impacts on the environment , مرکز فناوری اطلاعات و اطلاع رسانی کشاورزی
Zoogeomorphology
'Unswept stone, besmeer'd by sluttish time'
On 1st January 1790 the Oxford canal finally opened with the arrival in Oxford of 200 tons of cheap coal from the Midlands. This event was one important stimulus to the economic transformation of Oxford from a quiet university and market town to a large commercial and industrial centre. The advent of affordable coal in plentiful supply encouraged economic progress, but at the same time brought a largely silent pollution legacy which is still evid…
Coastal Problems
The coastal context how coasts work sandy coastlines - beaches and dunes rocky coasts - cliffs and platforms coastal wetlands coral reefs cold coasts managing the coast - coping with coastal problems
The late-Holocene tufa decline in Europe
Over much of Europe, it has been postulated that in the late Holocene (since c.2500 BP) there was a marked decline in the deposition of tufa. There has been considerable debate about the causes of this phenomenon, with some authors postulating the importance of natural climatic changes, and others asserting that miscellaneous human influences have been crucial. This article discusses the role that various changes, both natural and anthropogenic, …
Zoogeomorphology
The late-Holocene tufa decline in Europe
Over much of Europe, it has been postulated that in the late Holocene (since c.2500 BP) there was a marked decline in the deposition of tufa. There has been considerable debate about the causes of this phenomenon, with some authors postulating the importance of natural climatic changes, and others asserting that miscellaneous human influences have been crucial. This article discusses the role that various changes, both natural and anthropogenic, …
Salt Weathering Hazards
The Student's Companion to Geography
Integrated digital photography and image processing for the quantification of colouration on soiled limestone surfaces in Oxford, England
Coastal and Estuarine Management
The coast cannot be left to nature to determine its fate. Wealth, property, economic interests, recreation, tourism and wildlife are all threatened. Coasts are an administrative battle ground and one of the most important and widely examined topics in environmental management.Coastal and Estuarine Management examines the issues surrounding the human use and abuse of estuarine and coastal environments. Emphasising the importance and significance o…
Coastal Problems
The coastal context how coasts work sandy coastlines - beaches and dunes rocky coasts - cliffs and platforms coastal wetlands coral reefs cold coasts managing the coast - coping with coastal problems
Ozymandias in the Anthropocene
The extent of urban areas is rapidly expanding across the globe, both horizontally and vertically. While natural and social scientists have examined the impacts of this urbanisation on earth system and social processes, to date researchers have largely overlooked how in turn earth system processes can act on this urban fabric to produce hybrid landforms. Unique pseudokarst landforms are found within the urban fabric, including urban stalactites a…
How wet are these walls? Testing a novel technique for measuring moisture in ruined walls
Moisture monitoring of stone masonry
Water is a fundamental control on the deterioration of historic stone masonry , of which wind-driven rain (WDR) is an important source in the UK. Non-destructive testing methods for moisture measurement can characterise the response of masonry to short (but intense) periods of wind-driven rain. An important part of this response is how masonry functions as a system of stone units and mortar joints , in which mortar can act as a conduit for moistu…
The Geomorphology of the Napier Range, Western Australia
Andrew Goudie, Heather Viles, Robert Allison, Michael Day, Ian Livingstone, Peter Bull, The Geomorphology of the Napier Range, Western Australia, Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, Vol. 15, No. 3 (1990), pp. 308-322
The Geomorphology of the Napier Range, Western Australia
Andrew Goudie, Heather Viles, Robert Allison, Michael Day, Ian Livingstone, Peter Bull, The Geomorphology of the Napier Range, Western Australia, Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, Vol. 15, No. 3 (1990), pp. 308-322
Biogeomorphology
Biogeomorphology
The late-Holocene tufa decline in Europe
Over much of Europe, it has been postulated that in the late Holocene (since c.2500 BP) there was a marked decline in the deposition of tufa. There has been considerable debate about the causes of this phenomenon, with some authors postulating the importance of natural climatic changes, and others asserting that miscellaneous human influences have been crucial. This article discusses the role that various changes, both natural and anthropogenic, …
The Student's Companion to Geography
'Unswept stone, besmeer'd by sluttish time'
On 1st January 1790 the Oxford canal finally opened with the arrival in Oxford of 200 tons of cheap coal from the Midlands. This event was one important stimulus to the economic transformation of Oxford from a quiet university and market town to a large commercial and industrial centre. The advent of affordable coal in plentiful supply encouraged economic progress, but at the same time brought a largely silent pollution legacy which is still evid…
Coastal Problems
The coastal context how coasts work sandy coastlines - beaches and dunes rocky coasts - cliffs and platforms coastal wetlands coral reefs cold coasts managing the coast - coping with coastal problems
The Earth Transformed
The earth transformed: an introduction to human impacts on the environment , The earth transformed: an introduction to human impacts on the environment , مرکز فناوری اطلاعات و اطلاع رسانی کشاورزی
Zoogeomorphology
Salt Weathering Hazards
Coastal and Estuarine Management
The coast cannot be left to nature to determine its fate. Wealth, property, economic interests, recreation, tourism and wildlife are all threatened. Coasts are an administrative battle ground and one of the most important and widely examined topics in environmental management.Coastal and Estuarine Management examines the issues surrounding the human use and abuse of estuarine and coastal environments. Emphasising the importance and significance o…
African environments themed papers
Editors’ report 2002
Does Area keep you awake at night
Life as an academic today can be hugely stressful and there are many things that cause us sleepless nights, such as worrying about the RAE, a difficult Head of Department, the problems of getting research funding, or the lack of time to prepare for teaching. When I took on the job of Co-Editor of Area with responsibility for physical and environmental geography in January 2001 I wondered whether it would be yet another trigger for those 3 am pani…
Editors’ report 2003
This report covers the period January 2003–December 2003. This has been yet another good year for Area. During the calendar year 2003, the Journals Office handled 81 new submissions, and 16 submissions were still active from the previous year. The 81 new submissions comprised 72 articles, compared to 63 in 2002, and 9 observations and commentaries, compared to 7 in 2002. The submission rate in 2003 was 6.75 items per month, compared to 5.8 in 200…
Integrated digital photography and image processing for the quantification of colouration on soiled limestone surfaces in Oxford, England
How wet are these walls? Testing a novel technique for measuring moisture in ruined walls
Understanding Dryland Landscape Dynamics
Understanding landscape dynamics in arid and semi-arid areas is becoming increasingly important, as global change threatens to upset linked ecological and geomorphological systems with potentially serous impacts on livelihoods and environments. Biological crusts (composed of lichens, algae, fungi and bacteria) cover many rock, soil and sediment surfaces in arid and semi-arid areas and provide a key to understanding future dryland landscape dynami…
Landscapes and Landforms of Namibia
Salt Weathering in the Namib
Catastrophic Limestone Decay at the Central Sanctuary of Iupiter Dolichenus at Dülük Baba Tepesi in Southern Turkey
Dramatic deterioration of Hellenistic-Roman limestone remains recently excavated at Dülük Baba Tepesi (Southern Turkey) has been observed following the cold, wet winter of 2011/2012. A conceptual model is presented to explain the dramatic deterioration in which case hardening develops and initially strengthens the stone against deterioration, but then makes it more prone to exfoliation and blistering. Data collected using non-destructive techniqu…
An Assessment of the Role of an Open Shelter in Reducing Soiling and Microbial Growth on the Archaeological Site of the Bishop’s Palace, Witney, England
Two sets of twelve Portland limestone tablets were attached to carousels outside and under the open, lightweight shelter at Bishop’s Palace (Witney, England) for 18 months to assess the influence of shelters on soiling and microbiological growth on stone. At the start, and at 6-month intervals, tablets were analysed using microscopy (optical and SEM), colour measurement (spectrophotometry), weight change measurement and salt content determination…
Ozymandias in the Anthropocene
The extent of urban areas is rapidly expanding across the globe, both horizontally and vertically. While natural and social scientists have examined the impacts of this urbanisation on earth system and social processes, to date researchers have largely overlooked how in turn earth system processes can act on this urban fabric to produce hybrid landforms. Unique pseudokarst landforms are found within the urban fabric, including urban stalactites a…
Reconceptualising the relationships between heritage and environment within an Earth System Science framework
Purpose This paper questions the common perception within heritage science that the environment is seen primarily as a risk factor that can change or impact heritage. The purpose of this paper is to reconceptualise the relationship between heritage and the environment within an Earth System Science framework, enabling a more sustainable approach for understanding and conserving heritage sites to be implemented. Design/methodology/approach To expl…
A comparison of standard and realistic curing conditions of natural hydraulic lime repointing mortar for damp masonry
Environmental conditions can affect the curing and performance of lime mortars. Especially in the case of natural hydraulic lime (NHL) mortars to be used for repointing in exposed conditions, it is essential to assess what if any differences these environmental conditions would make to mortar properties through laboratory evaluations before repointing work begins. This study considers a specific historic environment: traditional masonry exposed t…
Geography (15 works) · Geology (14 works) · Environmental Science (9 works) · Building materials and conservation (8 works) · Geology (7 works) · Computer Science (6 works) · Geomorphology (6 works) · Geotechnical engineering (6 works) · Sociology (6 works) · Chemistry (5 works)