Career

2008 - present  Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography and Geology, Swansea University.

1989 - 2008  Lecturer in Physical Geography and Geology, Swansea University.

1984 - 1989  Lecturer in Department of Earth Sciences (Geology), Swansea University.

I am presently the Undergraduate Admissions Tutor for Geography.  Click here for information about studying Geography at Swansea University.

I received a Distinguished Teaching Award from Swansea University in summer 2008.

Key research interests

Geology: sedimentary deposits and processes, facies analysis, palaeoenvironmental reconstruction

Soft-sediment deformation processes and structures

Holocene geomorphology and weathering

Public understanding of science

I am a member of the Environmental Dynamics research group

Selected publications

Owen, G. and Moretti, M., 2008. Determining the origin of soft-sediment deformation structures: a case study from Upper Carboniferous delta deposits in south-west Wales, UK. Terra Nova, 20, 237-245.

Owen, G., Matthews, J.A. and Albert, P.G., 2007. Rates of Holocene chemical weathering, ‘Little Ice Age’ glacial erosion and implications for Schmidt-hammer dating at a glacier-foreland boundary, Fabergstolsbreen, southern Norway. The Holocene, 17, 829-834.

Owen, G., Matthews, J.A., Shakesby, R.A. and He, X., 2006. Snow-avalanche impact landforms, deposits and effects at Urdvatnet, southern Norway: implications for avalanche style and process. Geografiska Annaler, 88A, 295-307.

Owen, G., Matthews, J.A. and Shakesby, R.A., 2006. Rapid Holocene chemical weathering on a calcitic lake shoreline in an alpine periglacial environment: Attgloyma, Sognefjell, southern Norway. Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, 17, 3-12.

Shakesby, R.A., Matthews, J.A. and Owen, G., 2006. The Schmidt hammer as a relative-age dating tool and its potential for calibrated-age dating in Holocene glaciated environments. Quaternary Science Reviews, 25, 2846-2867.

Howe, S., Owen, G. and Sharpe, T., 2004. Walking the Rocks: six walks discovering scenery and geology along the Glamorgan coast. Geologists' Association - South Wales Group: Cardiff.  [Awarded the ENI Geological Challenge Award, 2005]

Owen, G., 2003. Load structures: gravity-driven sediment mobilization in the shallow subsurface. In Van Rensbergen, P., Hillis, R.R., Maltman, A.J. and Morley, C.K., editors, Subsurface sediment mobilization. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 216, 21-34.

Owen, G., 2003. Ball-and-pillow (pillow) structure; Pseudonodules. Entries in Middleton, G.V., editor, Encyclopedia of sediments and sedimentary rocks. Dordrecht: Kluwer, 39-40, 549-551.

Matthews, J.A., Bridges, E.M., Caseldine, C.J., Luckman, A.J., Owen, G., Perry, A.H., Shakesby, R.A., Walsh, R.P.D., Whittaker, R.J. and Willis, K.J., editors, 2001. The encyclopaedic dictionary of environmental change. London, Arnold, 690 pp.

Owen, G., 2000. First steps in geology fieldwork: a traverse of the Black Mountain, South Wales. Teaching Earth Sciences, 25, 186-191.

Owen, G., 2000. Introductory practical exercises in geology. Teaching Earth Sciences, 25, 200-202.

Owen, G., 1997. Origin of an esker-like ridge - erosion or channel-fill?  Sedimentology of the Monington ‘esker’ in southwest Wales. Quaternary Science Reviews, 16, 675-684.

Owen, G., 1996. Anatomy of a water-escape cusp in Upper Proterozoic Torridon Group sandstones, Scotland. Sedimentary Geology, 103, 117-128.

Owen, G. and Hawley, D., 2000. Depositional setting of the Lower Old Red Sandstone at Pantymaes Quarry, central South Wales: new perspectives on the significance and occurrence of ‘Senni Beds’ facies. In: New perspectives on the Old Red Sandstone, (eds. P.F. Friend and B.P.J. Williams), Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 180, 389-400.

Owen, G., 1996. Experimental soft-sediment deformation: structures formed by the liquefaction of unconsolidated sands and some ancient examples. Sedimentology, 43, 279-293.

Owen, G., 1995. Soft-sediment deformation in Upper Proterozoic Torridonian sandstones (Applecross Formation) at Torridon, northwest Scotland. Journal of Sedimentary Research, A65, 495-504.

Owen, G., 1995. Senni Beds of the Devonian Old Red Sandstone, Dyfed, Wales: anatomy of a semi-arid floodplain. Sedimentary Geology, 95, 221-235.

Owen, G., 1987. Deformation processes in unconsolidated sands. In: Deformation of sediments and sedimentary rocks (eds. M.E. Jones and R.F. Preston), Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 29, 11-24.

Other roles and responsibilities

Fellow of The Geological Society, London

Member of SEPM (Society for Sedimentary Geology) and International Association of Sedimentologists

Editorial Board Member, Sedimentary Geology

Member of Geologists’ Association, Earth Science Teachers’ Association (formerly Chair and Secretary), Geologists’ Association South Wales Group (Secretary), Ussher Society, Russell Society

Member of Management Group of Fforest Fawr Geopark

I give regular lectures and lead field meetings for groups such as local geologists’ associations and societies, University of the Third Age, Open University, Probus, Brecon Beacons National Park, Swansea University Department of Adult Continuing Education, and Wildlife Trusts.