My research expertise is in quantitative geography, spatial analysis and GIS. I explore pervasive and emergent geospatial research themes, such as error propagation and uncertainty, geographical representation and visualisation and reconciling disparate sources of geospatial data.

I apply geographical skills to address problems with real-world relevance, for example, the potential for targeting land use policy to maximise nature’s benefits to society.

While my publication history is diverse, exploring different spatial aspects of the two-way interactions between people and the biophysical environment, my research is connected through a desire to generate translational science (bridging the implementation gap between research and its application) and issues surrounding fitness for purpose of data.

Amii Harwood (nee Darnell) Dr Harwood is a specialist in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and a Lecturer in Geography and GIS. She joined the Centre for Social and Economic Research on the Global Environment (CSERGE*) in July 2010 with a background in earth science and geocomputation. She now conducts translational science in rural land use change and ecosystem services, with a particular interest in the soil carbon economy. For the Defra-ESRC-NERC funded UK-National Ecosystem Assessment (UK-NEA), Harwood co-designed an approach demonstrating the benefits of spatial targeting in land use policy. This policy-pivotal research was published in Science and fed into the UK Government Natural Environment White Paper.

Amii successfully defended her PhD thesis in July 2010 (University of East Anglia). Her PhD examined the use of GIS for hazard assessment, with particular focus on the uncertainties and sensitivities inherent to predictive spatial models. Amii also holds an MSc in Environmental Informatics (University of Leicester) and a BSc in Environmental Earth Science (University of Reading).

*CSERGE is a world-leader in environmental economics and a major player in quantifying nature’s benefits - and wider School of Environmental Sciences. In REF 2021, the School of Environmental Sciences was ranked 4th in the UK for Research Quality (UoA7 Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences), with 94% of its research judged to be ‘World-leading’ or ‘Internationally Excellent’.

PhD Positions

I am not currently taking on any new PhD students. 

Centre for Social and Economic Research on the Global Environment (CSERGE) 

Deputy Director for Teaching and Learning (Skills Development)

• Geographical Perspectives
• Valuing Nature
• Geographical Information Systems
• Quantitative Skills
• Scripting and automation of workflows (Python, R)
• Visualisations and cartography