Dr Kristofer Chan is an interdisciplinary researcher and educator, principally focused on the environment, hydropolitics, development, and related education. His research leverages satellite remote sensing, GIS, and open-source environmental sensor design, triangulating results with social science methodologies.

Kris is the Departmental Deputy Education Lead (Digital) and co-leads the Environmental Science for Sustainability MSc programme. He additionally convenes the GIS & Spatial Data Science (7SSGN109), Earth Observation: Science and Applications (6SSG3028), and Principles of Geographical Inquiry (4SSG1011) modules.

Prior to joining King's, he taught at the London School of Economics, in addition to working as a GTA and laboratory assistant in King’s Geography department. Kris attained his PhD from King's, an MSc in Conservation (Distinction) from UCL, and his BSc (Honours) in Geography from Durham University.

He currently works on the POR EL Páramo (POst-conflict Reconciliation of Environment and Livelihoods in Boyacá Páramo) project investigating the land cover changes and impacts in Colombia. He also participates in the Shifting In/equality Dynamics in Ethiopia: from Research to Application (SIDERA) project, investigating environmental and livelihood impacts in the dryland region of the Omo riverbasin.

Kris has attained the PGCAPHE and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy as well as the Royal Geographical Society. He is a member of the RGS’ Geography & Education Research Group and manages the group's website.

Research

• Environmental remote sensing
• Technology Enhanced Learning
• Open-source environmental sensors
• Hydropolitics in Southeast Asia
• Local/traditional ecological knowledge (LEK/TEK)
• Environment and development contestation
• Geographical Information Systems (GIS)

Kris’ primary research investigates the environmental and social impacts of development projects, combining remote sensing techniques with social science research of locally affected communities and open-source environmental monitoring. His scholarship relates to how technology can enhance experiential learning in Geography and Environmental Science. 

Teaching

Undergraduate

• 4SSG1011 Principles of Geographical Inquiry
• 5SSG2061 Geographical Research Skills
• 6SSG3028 Earth Observation: Science & Applications

Postgraduate

• 7SSGN109 GIS and Spatial Data Science
• 7SSGN110 Methods for Environmental Research

PhD supervision

Kris is currently supervising the following projects:

• 'Quantify the spread and impacts of invasive plant species in the Serengeti ecosystem' (as a second supervisor)
• 'Wildfires in African savanna – the causes and effects,dynamics and management in changing climate, and human interactions.' with Amos Muthiuru (as a third supervisor)

Kris is happy to discuss supervision on:

• Technology Enhanced Learning in Geography and Environmental Science
• Citizen Science for environmental monitoring
• Environmental education for community action
• Environmental Impact Assessment of development projects 

Further details

See Kris' research profile