Biography
Nick’s career in academia extends back nearly three decades. Graduating with a Bachelors Joint Honours degree in Geography and Geology in 1997, and a PhD in River Science in 2000, Nick quickly established a strong research and teaching career in physical geography and environmental science with a strong track-record of peer-reviewed publications in high-ranking international journals and sustained external research funding. He has held Faculty positions in Charles Sturt University (Australia); Birkbeck College, University of London, and the University of Nottingham where his leadership roles have included Director of Undergraduate Studies, Faculty Digital Learning Director and CEO of Online Learning. Nick achieved full Professor in 2023 in recognition of his track record in both disciplinary research and teaching and learning leadership and innovation.
Nick’s disciplinary research sits at the interface of physical processes in the natural environment and data science. He has pioneered machine learning methods for hydrological modelling and river flow prediction as well as supporting studies of climate change impacts through artificial intelligence methods and revealing the extent to which data driven models can represent physical processes. Nick has also worked at the interface of social and physical science, including efforts to support the establishment of rights for river personhood and to understand the impacts of armed conflict on processes operating in the socio-environment. He was a co-applicant and an Executive member of the successful Leverhulme Trust bid for the Doctoral Training Centre for Mathematics and Analytics for a Sustainable Society.
As a teacher, Nick’s practice has focused on geographical information science and environmental informatics and modelling education, although he also has extensive field-based teaching practice both in the UK and internationally. Digital innovation is central to Nick’s practice, and he continues to champion it in teaching and learning. Nick has authored several academic papers and book chapters on topics as diverse as podcasting to support learning and the use of virtual words to augment the physical teaching and learning environment. His educational research has been funded by not-for-profits as well as through commercial partnership. He has received two Lord Dearing Awards for his outstanding contributions to teaching and learning and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Nick is a regular speaker and keynote at conferences and often contributes to local, national and global media broadcasts. These have included the BBC Countryfile programme and, most recently, ‘The Inquiry’ programme for the BBC World Service.
Appointments
2026 – Pres. Visiting Professor, University of the Commonwealth Carribean
2025 – Pres. Associate Pro Vice Chancellor, Digital Campus, University of the Built Environment
2023 – 2025 CEO, University of Nottingham Online
2021 – 2023 Academic Director, University of Nottingham Online, University of Nottingham
2018 – 2021 Digital Learning Director, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Nottingham
2012 – 2018 Associate Professor of Geography, School of Geography, University of Nottingham
2007 – 2012 Lecturer in Geography, School of Geography, University of Nottingham
2002 – 2005 Lecturer in Geography, Department of Geography, Birkbeck College and University of London External Programme
2000 – 2002 Lecturer in Geography, School of Science and Technology, Charles Sturt University, Australia
1998 – 2000 Associate Lecturer in Geography, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University
Publications
Mount, N.J. (2022) Learning design is the key to assuring the quality of modular provision. WONKHE, 11th May 2022.
Tomas, C., Mount, N.J. (2022). Designing programmes of study at the University of Nottingham. International Symposium on Designing Programmes for Learning: Foundations and Aspirations. University of Nottingham, 11-12 January 2022
Mount, N.J., Neves, C., Gration, M., Coolin, K., Erlandsson, L. (2022). The rocky road to micro-credentials: forging new routes through the institutional quality assurance landscape. Advance HE Curriculum Symposium, Leeds, 08th June 2022.
Mount, N.J., Gration, M. (2022). Connecting the learner journey to the pedagogy landscape: truly integrated learner analytics. Twenty-ninth International Conference on Learning, Valencia, Spain, 13th-15th July 2022.
Davidson, S., Neves, L., Mount, N.J., Erlandsson, L., Gration, M., Coolin, K. (2022). Its not all about you: putting the learning first in online engineering education. Practical Engineering Education Conference 2022, 12th-13th September 2022, Sheffield.
Coolin, K., Erlandsson, L., Gration, M., Mount, N.J., Neves, L. (2022). Designing for online micro-credentials: preparing for the post-2025 landscape. Association of Learning Technologists Conference (ALT-C), 6th-8th September, Manchester.
Tomas, C., Mount, N.J. (2019). Programme level design and analytics: a review and moving forwards. ALT-C, University of Edinburgh, 3-5 September, 2019.
De Matteis, C., Goria, C., Hughes, N., Lawson, G., Mount, N.J., Windle, R. (2019). Bridging the cultural divides in digitally-enhanced teaching and learning: the Digital Learning Director initiative at the University of Nottingham. Advance HE Annual Teaching Conference, 2-4 July, 2019, Northumbria University.
Mount, N.J., Priestnall, G. (2011) Trying to build a wind farm in a National Park: Experiences of a Geocollaboration experiment in Second Life. In Unwin, D., Tate, N.J., Foote, K.E., DiBiase, D. (eds.), Teaching Geographic Information Science and Technology in Higher Education. Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester, UK, 301-325.
Priestnall, G., Jervis, C., Burton, A., Mount, N.J. (2011) Virtual Geographic Environments. In In Unwin, D., Tate, N.J., Foote, K.E., DiBiase, D. (eds.), Teaching Geographic Information Science and Technology in Higher Education. Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester, UK, 257-288.
Mount, N.J., Chambers, C., Weaver, D. and Priestnall, G. (2009) Learner immersion and engagement in the 3D virtual world: principles emerging from the DELVE project. ITALICS, 8, 3, 40 – 55.
Mount, N.J. (2009). SMS in undergraduate lectures. In: Blamer, K., Jones, I., Phillips, B., Stokes, E. (Eds.), Harnessing Technology – New Modes of Technology-Enhanced Learning: Case Studies. BECTA, 55-57.
Weaver, D., Priestnall, G., Mount, N.J., Burton, A. (2009). Making Your Mind Up: Second Life Bucks the Trend as the Fizz Goes Out of GIS. Proc. of the Conference of the American Association of Geographers, Las Vegas.
Mount, N.J., Beggan, A., Chambers, C., Lockley, P., Morgan, W. and Priestnall, G. (2008). Demonstration: Bluecasting for Mobile Devices, AltC, University of Leeds, 8th-10th September 2008.
Mount, N.J., Chambers, C. (2008) Podcasting in practicals, in Salmon, G., Edirisingha, P. (eds.) Podcasting for Learning in Universities, Open University Press, 43-56.
Downward, S, Livingstone, D, Lynch, K., Mount, N.J. (2008) Podcasts and locations, in Salmon, G., Edirisingha, P. (eds.) Podcasting for Learning in Universities, Open University Press, 57-69.
Minocha, S., Kear, K., Mount, N.J., Priestnall, G. (2008). Design of Learning Spaces within Virtual Environments. Proceedings of the ReLive ’08 Conference (e-book), ‘Researching Learning in Virtual Environments’, Open University. 228-236
Burton, A., Priestnall, G., Polmear, G., Mount, N.J., (2008). Real-time visualisation: experience in a teaching and learning context. Proc. of the GIS Research UK 16th Annual Conference, UNIGIS, UK. 308-316 (ISBN: 978-1-905476-31-2).
Mount, N.J., Chambers, C. (2008). “I’d rather be watching the telly…”: Do rich media approaches offer real teaching and learning benefits for GIS software tuition of digital natives? Proc. of the GIS Research UK 16th Annual Conference, UNIGIS, UK. 285-290 (ISBN: 978-1-905476-31-2).
Mount, N.J. (2008). Contextually-aware bluecasting for mobile learning. Learning Futures, The Campus and Beyond. University of Leicester, 8th-9th January 2008.
Jervis, C., Mount, N.J., (2007). Contextualising models of teaching and learning using podcasts: a meta-model approach. RGS/IBG Annual International Conference 2007. 29-31st August 2007, London, UK.
Invited Keynotes
Mount, N.J. (2022). Micro-credentials: how to do them properly. Chartered Association of Business Schools Conference, 2022, London, UK.
Educational Podcast Contributions
Mount, N.J. (2022). Designing the future of education. Anarchy in the HE Podcast, Episode 11, 06th June 2022. Available at: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/anarchy-in-the-h-e/id1558080879
Mount, N.J., Webster, D. (2022). The Advance HE QA and Flexible Learning Podcast. 19th July 2022. Available at: https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/knowledge-hub/beyond-flexible-learning-quality-assurance-podcast
Mount, N.J. (2022). Online learning, brand and innovation. Available at: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-brand-education-podcast/id1614215391
Online Events, Webinars and Case Studies
The edtech top 50 – emerging companies for higher education. Panel Member for LinkedIn webcast, June 27th 2022. Available at: https://medium.com/emerge-edtech-insights/the-edtech-top-50-emerging-companies-for-higher-education-1bb0263956f4
Mount, N.J. and Gration, M. (2022) Delivering curriculum analytics: conceptual models and data models, IMS Global / 1EdTech Webinar Series, November 2022.
In: Microsoft (2021), University of Nottingham Empowers Remote Research and Teaching, Microsoft Global Customer Success Story, March, 2021.
Project reports
Minocha, S., Mount, N., Priestnall, G., Weaver, D., Chambers, C. (2009): ‘Design of Learning Spaces in 3D Virtual Worlds’, Report to Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC), pp.72.
Press and Media
‘Text messaging Geography’ The Education Guardian Link Supplement. July 18th 2007, pp. 18-19.
Mount, N.J., Harvey, G., Aplin, P.A., and Priestnall, G.P (Eds.) (2009) Innovations in GIS 13: Representation, Modelling and Visualisation of the Natural Environment. Taylor and Francis, 240 pp.
Peer-reviewed articles
Baigaliyeva, M., McGowan, S., Mount, N.J., Gosling, S.N. (In Press). Future impacts of water abstraction and climate change on Shortandy Lake, Kazakhstan. Environmental Research Water, 10.1088/3033-4942/ae2e36
Baigaliyeva, M., Mount, N.J., Gosling, S.N., McGowan, S. (2024). Unravelling long-term impact of water abstraction and climate change on endorheic lakes: a case study of Shortandy Lake in Central Asia. PLoS ONE, 19(7), e0305721. DoI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305721
Garzon, L.F.L, Johnson, M.F., Mount, N.J., Gomez, H. (2023). Exploring the effects of catchment morphometry on overland flow response to extreme rainfall using a 2D hydraulic model (IBER). Journal of Hydrology, 627, 130405. DoI: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2023.130405
Maskrey, S., Mount, N.J., Thorne, C. (2021). Doing flood risk modelling differently: evaluating the potential for participatory techniques to broaden flood risk management decision-making. Journal of Flood Risk Management, DoI: 10.1111/jfr3.12757
Zaherpour, J., Mount, N.J., and 9 others. (2019). Exploring the value of machine learning for weighted multi-model combination of an ensemble of global hydrological models. Environmental Modelling and Software, 114, 112-128.
Maskrey, S., Mount, N.J., Priest, S. (2018). Towards evaluation criteria in participatory flood risk management. Journal of Flood Risk Management, 12, (2), e12462
Zaherpour, J., Gosling, S., Mount, N.J., and 17 others. (2018). Worldwide evaluation of mean and extreme runoff from six global-scale hydrological models that account for human impacts. Environmental Research Letters, 13, (6).
Maier, H.R., Humprey, G., Wu, W., Mount, N.J., Dandy, G.C., Abrahart, R.J., Dawson, C.W. (2017). Improved validation framework and R-package for artificial neural network models. Environmental Modelling and Software, 92, 82-106.
Maskrey, S.A., Mount, N.J., Thorne, C.R., Dryden, I. (2016). Participatory modelling for stakeholder involvement in the development of flood risk management intervention options. Environmental Modelling and Software, 82, 275-294.
Mount, N.J., Maier, H.R., Toth, E., Elshorbagy, A., Solomatine, D., Chang, F-J. (2016). Data driven modelling approaches for socio-hydrology: opportunities and challenges within the Panta Rhei Science Plan. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 61(7), 1192-1208.
Gosling, S.N., Zaherpour, J., Mount, N.J., and 14 others. (2016). A comparison of changes in river runoff from multiple global catchment-scale hydrological models under global warming scenarios of 1˚C, 2˚C and 3˚C. Climatic Change, 141, 577-595.
Lawson, E, Thorne, C, Ahilan, S., Allen, D., Arthur, S., Everett, G., Fenner, R., Glenis, V., Kilsby, C., Lamond, J., Mant, J., Maskrey, S., Mount, N.J., Sleigh, A., Smith, L., Wright, N. (2014). Delivering and evaluating the multiple flood risk benefits in Blue-Green Cities: an interdisciplinary approach. WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment, 184, 113-124.
Dawson, C.W., Mount, N.J., Abrahart, R.J., Louis, J. (2014). Sensitivity analysis for comparison, validation and physical legitimacy of neural network-based hydrological models. Journal of Hydroinformatics, 16(2), 1-18.
Tsai, M-J., Abrahart, R,J., Mount, N.J., Chang, F-J. (2014). Including spatial distribution in a data-driven rainfall-runoff model to improve reservoir inflow forecasting in Taiwan. Hydrological Processes, 28(3), 1055-1070.
Mount, N.J., Tate, N.J., Sarker, M.H., Thorne, C.R. (2013). Evolutionary, multi-scale analysis of river bank line retreat using continuous wavelet transforms: Jamuna River, Bangladesh. Geomorphology, 183, 82-95.
Mount, N.J., Dawson, C.W., Abrahart, R.J. (2013). Legitimising data-driven models: exemplification of a new data-driven, mechanistic modelling framework. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 17(7), 2827-2843.
Dawson, C.W., Abrahart, R.J., Shamseldin, A.Y., Mount, N.J. (2012) Ideal point error for model assessment. Hydrological and Earth Systems Science, 16, 3049-3060.
Berrio, D.J., Abrahart, R.J., Mount, N.J., Nathanail, C.P. (2012). Short Communication on “Precipitation forecasting using wavelet-genetic programming and wavelet-neuro-fuzzy conjunction models” by Ozgur Kisi and Jalal Shiri [Water Resources Management, 25, (2011), 3135-3152]. Water Resources Management, 26(12), 3653-3662.
Mount, N.J., Abrahart, R.J., Dawson, C.W., Ab Ghani, N. (2012). The need for operational reasoning in data-driven rating curve prediction of suspended sediment. Hydrological Processes, 26(26), 3982-4000.
Abrahart, R.J., Anctil, F., Coulibaly, P., Dawson, C.W., Elshorbagy, A., Mount, N.J., See, L.M., Shamseldin, A.Y., Solomatine, D.P., Toth, E., Wilby, R.L. (2012). Two decades of anarchy? Emerging themes and outstanding challenges for neural network modelling of surface hydrology. Progress in Physical Geography, 36(4), 480-53.
Jones, K., Mount, N.J., Weber, P. (2012). Editorial: The rise of the GIS volunteer. Transactions in GIS, 16(3), 266-272.
Mount, N.J., Abrahart, R.J. (2012) Discussion of “Reservoir computing approach to Great Lakes water level forecasting” by P. Coulibaly [J. Hydrology. 381 (2010) 76-88]. Journal of Hydrology, 422, 76-80.
Abrahart, R.J., Mount, N.J., Shamseldin, A.Y., (2012) Neuroemulation: definitions and key benefits for water resources research. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 57, 407-423.
Abrahart, R.J., Mount N.J., AbGhani, N., Clifford, N.J., Dawson, C.W. (2011) DAMP: a protocol for contextualising goodness-of-fit statistics in sediment-discharge data-driven modelling. Journal of Hydrology, 409, 596-611.
Mount, N.J. and Weaver, D. (2011) Self-organising maps and boundary effects: assessing the benefits of a toroidal projection. Pattern Analysis and Applications, 14 (2), 139-148.
Abrahart, R.J., Mount, N.J. (2011) Discussion of “Neuro-fuzzy models employing wavelet analysis for suspended sediment concentration prediction in rivers” Hydrological Sciences Journal, 56(7), 1-5.
Mount, N.J., Abrahart, R.J. (2011) Load or concentration, logged or unlogged? Addressing ten years of uncertainty in data-driven suspended sediment modelling. Hydrological Processes, 25(20), 3144-3157.
Mount, N.J., Abrahart, R.J. (2011). Discussion of ‘River flow estimation from upstream flow records by artificial intelligence methods’ by M.E. Turan and M.A. Yurdusev [J. Hydrol. 369 (2009) 71-77]. Journal of Hydrology,396 (1-2), 193-196.
Abrahart, R.J., Dawson, C.W., See, L.M., Mount, N.J., Shamseldin, A.Y. (2010). Discussion of evapotranspiration modelling using support vector machines. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 55, (8), 1442-1450.
Mount, N.J. (2009) Self-organising Maps Applications in Geographic Information Science, International Journal of Geographical Information Science, 23, 4, 545-546.
Mount, N.J. and Stott, T.A. (2008) A discrete Bayesian network to investigate suspended sediment concentrations in an Alpine proglacial zone. Hydrological Processes, 22 (18), 3772-3784.
Stott, T.A. and Mount, N.J. (2008) Sustainability in Alpine proglacial zones: using the 2003 European heat wave to assess the implications of global warming on sediment transport processes. International Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability, 3(6),123-136.
Stott, T.A. and Mount, N.J. (2007) Alpine Proglacial Suspended Sediment Dynamics in Warm and Cool Ablation Seasons: Implications for Global Warming? Journal of Hydrology, 332 (3-4), 259-270.
Page, K., Read, A., Frazier, P. and Mount, N.J. (2005) The Effect of Altered Flow Regime on the Frequency and Duration of Bankfull Discharge: Murrummbidgee River, Australia. River Research and Applications, 21 (5), 567-578
Mount, N.J. and Louis, J. (2005) Calculation and Propagation of Error in the Measurement of Lateral Channel Shift from Vertical Airborne Imagery. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 30(5), 635-643.
Mount, N.J., Sambrook Smith, G. H. and Stott, T.A. (2005) An Assessment of the Impact of Upland Afforestation on Lowland River Reaches: The Afon Trannon, Mid-Wales. Geomorphology, 64(3-4), 255-269
Stott, T.A. and Mount, N.J. (2004) Plantation forestry Impacts on Sediment Yields and Downstream Channel Dynamics in the UK: a Review. Progress in Physical Geography 28(2), 197-240
Mount, N.J., Louis, J., Teeuw, R.M., Zukowskyj and Stott, T., (2003) Estimation of error in bankfull width comparisons from temporally sequenced raw and corrected aerial photographs’. Geomorphology 56, 65-77.
Chapters
Mount, N.J., Abrahart, R.J., Dawson, C.W. (2017). On the physical and operational rationality of data-driven models for suspended sediment prediction in rivers. In: Sharma, N. (Ed.), River System Analysis and Management. Springer. 26-37.
Mount, N.J., Zukowskyj, P., Teeuw, R. and Stott, T., (2002): ‘Assessing river channel destabilisation using aerial photography, digital photogrammetry and GIS’, in Leuven, R.S.E.W., Poudevigne, I and Teeuw, R.M (eds.), ‘Application of Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing in River Studies’, Buckhuys, Lieden, 41-62.
Peer-reviewed proceedings
Humphrey, G.B., Maier, H.R., Wu, W., Mount, N.J., Dandy, G.C., Dawson, C.W. (2021). Beyond validation: assessing the legitimacy of artificial neural network models. 24th International Congress on Modelling and Simulation (MODSIM), 5-9the December, Sydney, Australia.
Abrahart, R.J., Dawson, C.W., Mount, N.J. (2012) Partial derivative sensitivity analysis applied to autoregressive neural network forecasting. Proc. 10th International Hydroinformatics Conference, Hamburg, Germany, July 14-18th, 8pp.
Tullis, J., Priestnall, G. and Mount, N.J. (2009). Terrain Identification Using Mobile Handsets. Proc. of the GIS Research UK 17th Annual Conference, Durham University, UK. 399-404 (ISBN: 978-0-900974-58-8).
Mount, N.J. and Weaver, D., (2008). Space-time trajectories in a planar and torus-based self-organising map: the importance of eliminating boundary effects. Proc. of the GIS Research UK 16th Annual Conference, UNIGIS, UK. 83-90 (ISBN: 978-1-905476-31-2).
Weaver, D., and Mount, N.J. (2007). The use of Kohonen mapping for the elucidation of space-time trajectories of multiple parameters: potential applications in fluvial geomorphology. Proc. of the GIS Research UK 15th Annual Conference, National Centre for Geocomputation, Maynooth, Ireland. 326-332. (ISBN: 0-901519-86-3).
Hasthorpe, J. and Mount, N.J., (2007). The generation of river channel skeletons from binary images using raster thinning algorithms. Proc. of the GIS Research UK 15th Annual Conference, National Centre for Geocomputation, Maynooth, Ireland. 477-483. (ISBN: 0-901519-86-3).
Hasthorpe, J. and Mount, N.J., (2007). Automatic computation of river channel bifurcation angles. Proc. of the GIS Research UK 15th Annual Conference, National Centre for Geocomputation, Maynooth, Ireland. 195-199. (ISBN: 0-901519-86-3).
Mount, N.J. and Stott, T.A. (2007) Filling in the gaps: using a Bayesian network to determine plausible sediment budgets under conditions of sensor failure. Proceedings of the 10th International River Sedimentation Conference, Moscow, 3, 232 – 240. (ISBN: 978-5-89575-124-4)
Stott, T.A. and Mount N.J. (2007) The impact of rainstorms on short-term spatial and temporal patterns of suspended sediment transfer over a proglacial zone, Ecrins National Park, France. Proceedings of the 10th International River Sedimentation Conference, Moscow, 5, 259 – 266. (ISBN: 978-5-89575-124-4)
Mount, N.J. (2006): ‘The potential of raster-based space-time composites in multi-dimensional analysis’ Proc. of the GIS Research UK 14th Annual Conference, University of Nottingham, UK.
Mount, N.J., Hedges, M. and Stott, T (2005): ‘Degree-day factors and small-scale snowmelt variability: elucidation of topographic relationships using DEM subtraction’ Proc. of the GIS Research UK 13th Annual Conference, University of Glasgow, UK. 400 – 411.
Mount, N.J. (2021). Geomorphological impacts of alluvial mining in the Rio Quito: implications for restoration. Final report of Colombia River Stories project (ES/S001883/1).
Mount, N.J. 2011. Visualisation and Photomontage Accuracy Assessment. Proof of Evidence, Watford Lodge Wind Farm Public Inquiry, APP/Y2810/A/11/2153242/NFW, October, 2011. pp. 24.
Aplin, P., Foody, G., Mount, N.J., Thorne, C. 2011. Specialist Review: Identifying and Monitoring Risks to Oil Pipelines at River Crossings (Commissioned by BP).
Media
Mount, N.J. (2026) Appearing on: The Inquiry (BBC World Service), Should Rivers have Personhood?
Mount, N.J. (2019) Appearing in: Toxic river: mining, mercury and murders continue to affect Colombia’s Atrato River. Mongabay. Available at: https://es.mongabay.com/2019/11/colombia-contaminacion-en-el-rio-atrato/
Mount, N.J. (2017) Can a river have legal rights? I visited the jungles of Colombia to find out. The Conversation. Available at: https://theconversation.com/can-a-river-have-legal-rights-i-visited-the-jungles-of-colombia-to-find-out-84878
Mount, N.J. (2017) Can a river have legal rights? A different approach to protecting the environment. The Independent. Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/river-legal-rights-colombia-environment-pacific-rainforest-atrato-river-rio-quito-a7991061.html
Mount, N.J. (2015) Appearing in: BBC Country File, BBC1. The sale of Blencathra in the Lake District National Park.
