email:                christel.hansen@up.ac.za Tel:                    +27 (0) 12 420 4255 Office:               Geography Building 1-18 Consultation:     by appointment

Research profile

Christel is a senior lecturer in the Department of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. A geomorphologist and GIS specialist by training, her research interests include cold-climate geomorphology, Antarctic landscapes and ecosystems, active layer and permafrost dynamics, landscape and process studies, desert environmental studies, and remote sensing. Recently, she has focused more on the applied use of GISc in various fields. This has led to collaborations with individuals from engineering, renewable energy science, archaeologists, hazard / risk modellers, ecologists, zoologists, and remote sensing specialists. She also has extensive fieldwork experience, having spent 4 summer seasons in western Dronning Maud Land of Antarctica, one season on sub-Antarctic Marion Island, and having completed numerous fieldwork trips to the High Drakensberg of South Africa. Christel has also done fieldwork in the Altai Mountains of Russia.

Her technical expertise is focused on GISc, in particular geospatial statistical analyses, terrain analyses, and spatial MCDA, as well as (related to geomorphology), ground temperature and moisture dynamics, textural-fraction related work, and morphometrics. To read about her most recent research project, please click here.

Through her involvement in APECS and APECSSA, Christel has also helped organise numerous workshops, meetings, and webinars, and served as President of the Southern African Association of Geomorphologists (SAAG) 2019-2021. She is currently a member of the South African National Committee to the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), and represents South Africa on the Standing Committee on Antarctic Geographic Information (SAGI). She is also a Geomatics Professional (GPr GISc1194) with the South African Geomatics Council (SAGC).

Qualifications

• BSc Geoinformatics - Cum Laude, University of Pretoria (2009)
• BSc (Hons) Environmental Analysis and Management - Cum Laude, University of Pretoria (2010)​
• MSc (Geography) - Cum Laude, Rhodes University (2012)
• PhD (Geography) - Rhodes Unversity (2018)
• GPr GISc1194 (SA)

Courses presented

Currently presented

• GIS 310 - Geographic Information Systems (2019-present)
• GIS 708 - Advanced Geographic Information Systems (2020-present)
• GMC 110 - Cartography (2021-present)

Previously presented

GIS 220 - Geographic data analysis (2018), GGY 166 - Southern African geomorphology  (2016), GGY 252 - Process geomorphology (2017), GGY 265 - Geomorphology of the built environment (2017), GGY 283 - Introductory Geographic Information Systems (2018)

Current research project

Christel is currently working on using GISc to model energy expenditure along paths we, as humans, traverse. This is used in conjunction with modelling a path's distance, estimated time to walk along, and difficulty level. Her study sites are the nature reserves of the City of Tshwane (CoT). For more on this project, please visit the project page here.

National & international involvement

Present involvement

• Southern African Association of Geomorphologists (Secretary: 2023-present, President: 2019-2021, President-Elect: 2017-2019,  Council member: 2017-2021; 2023-present)
• South African Journal of Geomatics (Section editor: 2021-present)
• South African National Committee (SANC) to SCAR (Geosciences Standing Committee: 2019-present)
• Standing Committee on Antarctic Geographic Information (SCAGI) (South African representative: 2021-present)

Previous involvement

• Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (Council member; South African representative: 2017-2019)
• Association of Polar Early Careers Scientists - South Africa (Chair: 2017-2019, Ex-officio: 2019-2021, NC member: 2017-2022)

Postgraduate students

• Boihang, L.M. 2020. Historical gully erosion growth in the Lower Thina Catchment, Eastern Cape. MSc. Environmental Management. Supervisor: Hansen, C.D. Co-supervisor: Anderson, R.
• Goso, L. 2025. Using geospatial information systems to type river ecosystems in the SADC. MSc. Geoinformatics. Supervisor: Van Deventer, H. Co-supervisor: Hansen, C.D., Smith-Adao, L.
• Mahamba, N. 2022. Developing a hydropower atlas for South Africa. MSc. Geoinformatics.  Supervisor: Hansen, C.D.
• Mapuru. M.J. 2022. Understanding the two-way interactions between aardvark (Orycteropus afer) burrowing and the surrounding landscape characteristics at Rietvlei Nature Reserve, South Africa. MSc. Geography. Supervisor: Haussmann, N. Co-supervisor: Hansen, C.D.
• Sadiki, M.M. 2022. Predicting mire distribution using species distribution models (SDMs) and GISc: a case study of the Prince Edward Islands (PEIs). MSc. Geoinformatics. Supervisor: Hansen, C.D. Co-supervisor: Greve, M.
• Savy, J.D. 2023. MSc. Geoinformatics. Using free resources for the creation of digital elevation and geographic data: the case study of Rodrigues Island. MSc. Supervisor: Hansen, C.D. Co-supervisor: Munghemezulu, C.
• Smit, M. 2024. MSc. Geography. Improved trail usability and information accessibility for the nature reserves of Tshwane – a geoinformation science approach. Supervisor: Hansen, C.D.

Current postgraduate students

• Apleni, P. Assessing the Capacity of Multi-Sensor Remote Sensing for Mapping and Monitoring Soil Moisture in South African Wetland Ecosystems. Supevisor: Heidi van Deventer, co-supervisors: Christel Hansen, Laven Naidoo, Jason le Roux. PhD Geoinformatics.
• Bainbridge, G. Using machine and deep learning with satellite data to predict water quality in Gauteng urban river systems. Supervisor: Christel Hansen, co-supervisor: Abel Ramoelo. MSc Environmental Management.
• Chauke, E. A constructive approach to teaching and learning Geographic Information Technology (GIS) in the era of the fourth industrial revolution and Artificial Intelligence.. Supervisor: Gregory Breetzke, co-supervisor: Christel Hansen. MSc Geography.
• Mabokchaba, R. Assessing Multi-Platform Remote Sensing Techniques for Quantifying Wetland Vegetation Changes at Finer Spatial Scales. Supervisor: Heidi van Deventer, co-supervisor: Christel Hansen. MSc Geoinformatics.
• Mavundza, H. Flood Risk Analysis Using a GIS-Based Multicriteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) and 3D Visualization Techniques: A Case study of  the City Of Cape Town, South Africa. Supervisor: Christel Hansen, co-supervisor: Bolelang Sibolla. MSc Geoinformatics.
• Molefe, K. Integrating GIS, Remote Sensing, Digital Twins, and Doughnut Economics for Sustainable Urban Planning in Hatfield, South Africa. Supervisor: Christel Hansen, co-supervisor: Calayde Davey. PhD Geoinformatics.
• Ndlovu, N. Assessing changes in the hydrological regime of lacustrine wetlands on the Maputaland Coastal Pain, South Africa. Supervisor: Heidi van Deventer, co-supervisor: Christel Hansen; Willem Landman. MSc Geoinformatics.
• Onyango, J.Geospatial accessibility to green public open spaces and community amenities in the City of Tshwane: a walkability and temporal analysis.Supervisor: Christel Hansen, co-supervisor: Dayle Shand. MSc Geoinformatics.
• Sadiki, M.M. Title to be decided. Supervisor: Heidi van Deventer, co-supervisor: Christel Hansen. PhD Geoinformatics.
• Shirinda, H. Investigating the ecological state and restoration potential of urban green spaces in the City of Tshwane. Supervisor: Michelle Greve, co-supervisor: Christel Hansen. PhD Plant Sciences.
• Simelane, S. Evaluating urban expansion and land use change in Mbabane, Eswatini, from 1997 to 2017 by using Landsat imagery. Supervisor: Christel Hansen, co-supervisor: Geroge Chirima, Cilence Munghemezulu. PhD Geoinformatics.
• Van Nierop, E.E. Assessing remote sensing resources for monitoring Antarctic environments. Supervisor: Christel Hansen, co-supervisor: Ian Meiklejohn. MSc Geoinformatics.

Editorial roles

• Section editor: South African Journal of Geomatics (SAJG) 2020-present
• Co-editor: Proceedings of the 2021 Joint Biennial Conference of the Society of South African Geographers and the Southern African Association of Geomorphologists, 2022

Research publications (journals)

• Hansen, C. 2025. Integrating transferable skills in GIS education: enhancing workplace readiness through problem-based learning. South African Geographical Journal, 1–14. doi: 10.1080/03736245.2025.2472691
• Asante, C. K., Hansen, C., Hardy, D.R., Hotaling, S. African contributions are missing from cryosphere research in Africa and worldwide, Nature Geoscience, under review
• Hansen, C.D. 2025. Integrating transferable skills in GIS education - enhancing workplace readiness through Problem-Based Learning. South African Geographical Journal, in press. 10.1080/03736245.2025.2472691
• Moreno-Ibáñez, M., Casado, M., Gremion, G., Rabanal, V., Adojoh, O., Anoruo, C., Arshad, A., Bahar, F.A., Bello, C., Bergstedt, H., Caccavo, J.A., Champollion, N., Choy, E.S., De Los Ríos, M.F., Detlef, H., Dey, R., Gamal, G., Guímaro, H.R., Hancock, S., Hansen, C., Hare, V., Höfer, J., Jabir, T., Jain, S., Jawak, S., Latonin, M., Martin, J., Fredy Mojica, J., O’Hara, R., Onafeso, O., Prasath, R.A., Alves, E.Q., Raez-Villanueva, S., Rosenbaum, P., Ruiz-Pereira, S., Savaglia, V., van Soest, M., Vural, D. 2024 Engagement of early career researchers in collaborative assessments of IPCC reports: achievements and insights. Frontiers in Climate, section Climate and Decision Making, 1-8, doi: 10.3389/fclim.2024.1395040
• Sadiki, M.M., Greve, M., Hansen, C.D. 2024. Predicting mire distribution using species distribution models (SDMs) and geospatial science: a case study of the sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Islands, Antarctic Science, 36(6), 487–499. doi: 10.1017/S0954102024000373
• Sadiki, M.M., van Deventer, H., Hansen, C.D. 2024. Assessing the extent to which African wetland inventories can report to the global targets on biodiversity, including Goal A of the Global Biodiversity Framework, African Journal of Aquatic Science, 49(3), 256-261. doi: 10.2989/16085914.2024.2367418
• Hansen, C.D., Smit, M. 2023. Using GISc for modelling energy expenditure when traversing paths in nature reserves of the City of Tshwane, South Africa. Abstracts of the International Cartographic Association, 6, 85, doi.org/10.5194/ica-abs-6-85-2023 
• Hrbacek, F., Oliva, M., Hansen, C., Balks, M., O’Neill, T., de Pablo, M.A., Pontis, S., Ramos, M., Vieira, G., Abramov, A., Pastirikova, L.K., Guglielmin, M., Goyanes, G., Francellino, M., Schaefer, C., Lacelle, D. 2023. Active layer and permafrost thermal regimes in the ice-free areas of Antarctica, Earth Science Reviews, 104458, ISSN 0012-8252,
  doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2023.104458
• Bekker, A., van Dijk, M., Niebuhr, C.M., Hansen, C.D., 2021. Framework development for the evaluation of conduit hydropower within water distribution systems: A South African case study. Journal of Cleaner Production. 283: 10 February 2021, 125326. DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125326
• Nel, W., Boelhouwers, J.C., Borg, C.-J., Cotrina, J.H., Hansen, C.D., Haussmann, N.S., Hedding, D.W., Nguna, A.A., Meiklejohn, K.I., Rudolph, E.M., Sinuka, S.S., Sumner, P.D. 2021. Earth science research on Marion Island (1996-2020): A synthesis and new findings. South African Geographical Journal. 103(1): 22-42. DOI: 10.1080/03736245.2020.1786445
• Simelane, S.P., Hansen, C.D., Munghemezulu, C., 2021. The Use of Remote Sensing and GIS for Land Use and Land Cover Mapping in Eswatini: A Review. South African Journal of Geomatics, 10(2): 181-206. DOI: 10.4314/sajg.v10i2.13
• Hedding, D.W., Erofeev, A.A., Hansen, C.D., Khon, A.V., Abbasov, Z.R. 2020. Geomorphological processes and landforms of glacier forelands in the upper Aktru River basin (Gornyi Altai), Russia: evidence for rapid recent retreat and paraglacial adjustment. Journal of Mountain Science. 17 (4): 824-837. DOI: 10.1007/s11629-019-5845-5.
• Rudolph, E.M., Meiklejohn, K.I., Hansen, C.D., Hedding, D.W., Nel, W. 2018. Rock glaciers in the Jutulsessen, Dronning Maud Land, East  Antarctica. Polish Polar Research, 39 (1), 1-17. DOI: 10.24425/118736
• Hedding D.W., Hansen C.D., Nel W., Loubser M.J., Le Roux J.J., Meiklejohn K.I. (2016). Rock mass loss on a nunatak in Western Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica. Arctic, Antarctic and Alpine Research, 48 (1), 1-8. DOI: 10.1657/AAAR0015-005
• Hansen C.D., Meiklejohn K.I., Nel W, Loubser M.J., van der Merwe B.J. (2013). Aspect-controlled weathering observed on a blockfield in Dronning Maud land, Antarctica. Geografiska Annaler Series A: Physical Geography, 95, 305-313. DOI: 10.1111/geoa.12025

Other publications (book chapters, research reports, theses, popular articles)

• Hansen, C.D., Anoruo, C.M., Vural, D., Queiroz Alves, E., Moreno Ibáñez, M., Onafeso, O.D., Adojoh, O.C., Hare, V. Why Africa’s young scientists should help check the quality of climate change research, The Conversation. 20 January 2025. Available at https://theconversation.com/why-africas-young-scientists-should-help-check-the-quality-of-climate-change-research-244719
• Bukhari, H., Brown, C., van Niekerk, L., van Deventer, H., Joubert, A., Taljaard, S., Goso,L., Reinecke, K., Hansen, C., Smith-Adao, L., Adams, J., Lamberth, S., Weerts, S., Lemley, D., King, J. (2024). Eco-Social Assessments of Aquatic Ecosystems Volume 1: Library of Generic Relationships for SADC Rivers and Estuaries, WRC Report No. TT 934/1/23, South African Water Research Commission, ISBN 978-0-6392-0591-5, doi: 10.13140/RG.2.2.25507.05921
• Mapuru, J.M., Hansen, C.D., Haussmann, N.S. (2022).  Exploring determinants of aardvark burrow locations at Rietvlei Nature Reserve, South Africa, In: Proceedings of the 2021 Joint Biennial Conference of the Society of South African Geographers and the Southern African Association of Geomorphologists, eISBN 978‐0‐6397‐1052‐5.
• Wege, M., Erasmus, B., Hansen, C.D., Vermeulen, E., Roberts, J., Purdon, J., Somers, M.J. Planned seismic survey by Shell has kicked up a storm in South Africa. Here’s an explainer, The Conversation. 9 December 2021. Available at https://theconversation.com/planned-seismic-survey-by-shell-has-kicked-up-a-storm-in-south-africa-heres-an-explainer-173280
• INTERACT (2021). INTERACT Fieldwork Communication and Navigation. Eds.: Schneider, A. et al. DCE – Danish Centre for Environment and Energy, Denmark, 80 p. ISBN: 978-87-93129-66-1 DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.4692556  
• Elvevold, S., Engvik, A.K., Hansen, C., Jacobs, J., Meiklejohn I., Myhre, P.I.. Rudolph, E. (2021). Geological map of Jutulsessen 1:50 000. Norsk Polarinstitutt Temakart nr. 54.
• Hansen, C.D. (2018). On high-altitude and –latitude diurnal frost environments. Unpublished PhD thesis. Rhodes University (Grahamstown).
• Hansen, C.D. (2014). The characterisation of an openwork block deposit, Northern Buttress, Vesleskarvet, Western Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica. Unpublished MSc dissertation. Rhodes University (Grahamstown).

Conference presentations (regional & international)