- Room 207, Marine Building, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA
- J.R.Miles@plymouth.ac.uk

Profiles
Dr Jon Miles
Associate Head of School
School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics (Faculty of Science and Engineering)
- Longshore transport
- Rip currents
- Sea walls
- Coastal defences
- Beach processes
- Beach erosion
Email publicrelations@plymouth.ac.uk to enquire.
Biography
Biography
Dr Jon Miles has approximately 25 years experience in coastal engineering, coastal processes, and marine renewables.
Coastal engineering related work includes expertise in the measurement and analysis of hydrodymamic and sediment transport processes in-situ. Studies have focussed on: measurement of marine bedforms and associated dynamics; the role of wave-shape in cross-shore sediment transport; sediment transport rates in rip currents; swash zone dynamics on dissipative and intermediate beaches and the role of swash in shoreline change; longshore current strengths and sediment transport; shear waves and their influence on sediment transport rates; and measurement of wave reflection and sediment transport processes in front of seawalls.
Marine renewable interests include tidal energy, marine flow dynamics and scour around offshore wind monopile foundations, wave energy device research including oscillating water columns and overtopping devices.
Qualifications
Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (University of Plymouth)
Accredited as a Teacher in Higher Education (University of Plymouth)
PhD: Sediment transport in front of seawalls (University of Plymouth)
BSc Joint Hons Physical Oceanography with Mathematics, (University of Wales, Bangor)
Professional membership
Challenger Society for Marine Science
Teaching
Teaching
Teaching interests
Coastal Engineering
Port and Harbour Engineering
Surveying
Matlab
Research
Research
Research interests
My research experience to date is in the field of coastal processes. I have worked on a number of different projects relating to hydrodynamic and sediment dynamic processes on natural beaches as follows:
14. Renewable Energy in Ports: PORTOS (2019-2023)
11. Impact of coastal defences on beaches
10. Environmental Impact of Offshore Windfarms (OFELIA) (2012-2016)
9. In-situ measurement of morphodynamc features (2010-2011)
8. Rip current dynamics and sediment transport (2010-2017)
7. Sediment dynamics in the shoaling, surf and swash zone (2003-2012)
6. The role of swash in shoreline change (measuring sediment transport processes in the nearshore)- 2001-2003
5. COAST3D (Comparison of measurements of nearshore processes with larger scale models) 1998-2001
4. INDIA (Video system for coastal monitoring) 1997-1998
3. COSMOD (Sonar systems for ripple measurement) 1997-1998
2. CSTAB (Nearshore velocity and sediment transport measurements) 1996
1. Effect of seawalls on sediment dynamics, 1993-1997.
Research groups
Other research
Invited reviewer for:
- Continental Shelf Research
- Journal of Geophysical Research
- Marine Geology
- Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology
Research degrees awarded to supervised students
Andre White (3rd Supervisor) Ongoing.
Ant Thorpe. Sediment transport in rip currents. 2010-2016 1st supervisor. Complete.
Jonathan Tinker. Modelling profile evolution on natural beaches with a sediment flux shape function. 2004-2009. 3rd Supervisor. Complete.
Grants & contracts
NERC funded PhD studentship. Sediment transport in rip currents. PI.
School of Marine Science and Engineering. Industry and employability information day for undergraduate students. Co-I.
Marine Institute. Small grant. In-situ video measurement of marine bedforms. PI.
RDA / PRIMARE. Wave Hub Impacts on Shoreline Processes (Co-I).
Publications
Publications
Key publications
Key publications are highlighted
Journals
Coles DS, Angeloudis A, Greaves D, Hastie, G, Lewis M, Mackie L, McNaughton J, Miles J, Neill S, Piggott M, Risch D, Scott B, Sparling C, Stallard T, Ties P, Walker S, White D, Willden R, Williamson B, 2021, A review of the UK and British Channel Islands practical tidal stream energy resource, Proc. R. Soc. A 20210469
Coles DS, Angeloudis A, Goss Z, Miles J, 2021, Tidal stream vs. wind energy: The value of cyclic power when combined with short-term storage in hybrid systems, Energies, 14:1106
Allen,J. Iglesias,G Greaves,D Miles,J, 2021. Physical Modelling of the Effect on the Wave Field of the WaveCat WEC. J. Mar Sci Eng., 9(3) 309 https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9030309
De La Torre, O., Hann,M., Miles, J., Stripling, S., Greaves, D.,Effect of the current-wave angle on the local scour around circular piles. Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)WW.1943-5460.0000692.
Cui,L., Zheng,S.,Zhang,Y, Miles,J., Iglesias G., 2020. Wave power extraction from a hybrid oscillating water column-oscillating buoy wave energy converter. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.110234
Zheng, S., Antonini,A., Zhang,Y., Greaves,D, Miles,J., Iglesias,G., 2020. Wave power extraction from multiple oscillating water columns along a straight coast. Journal of Fluid Mechanics. https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2019.656
Zheng,S., Antonini,A., Zhang,Y Miles,J., Greaves,D., Zhua,G., Iglesias, G., 2020 Hydrodynamic performance of a multi-Oscillating Water Column (OWC) platform. Applied Ocean Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apor.2020.102168
Allen,J., Sampanis,K., Wan,J Miles,J Greaves D.,and Iglesias, G., Laboratory Tests and Numerical Modelling in the Development of WaveCat. EWTEC2017.
Zheng,S., Antonini,A., Zhang,Y Miles,J., Iglesias G. 2019. Wave power extraction from a multi-OWC platform. 13th EWTEC 2019. Naples.
Miles,J.,Martin, T., and Goddard, L., 2017. Current and wave effects around windfarm monopile foundations. CoastalEngineering121, 167-178, Doi 10.106/j.coastaleng.2017.01.003
Prodger,S., Russell, P., Davidson, M., Miles, J. and Scott, T., 2016. Understanding and predicting the temporalvariability of sediment grain size characteristics on high-energy beaches, Marine Geology, DOI10.1016/j.margeo.2016.04.003.
Rogan,C., Miles, J., Simmonds, D., Iglesias, G. 2016.The turbulent wake of a monopile foundation, RenewableEnergy, 22, 222-223.
Allen, J., Sampanis, K., Wan, J.,Greaves, D., Miles, J., Iglesias, G., 2016. Laboratory Tests in the Developmentof WaveCat, Sustainability 8(12), DOI:10.3390/su8121339
Miles, J. and Thorpe, A., 2015. Bedform contributions to cross-shore sediment transport on a dissipative beach. Coastal Engineering 98, 65-77. Doi: 10.1016/j.coastaleng.2015.01.007Miles, J., Thorpe, A., Russell, P., Masselink, G., 2014. Megaripple dynamics on a dissipative sandy beach. In: Green,A.N. and Cooper, J.A.G. (eds.), Proceedings 13th International Coastal Symposium (Durban, South Africa), Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 70, pp. 187-192, ISSN 0749-0208. DOI: 10.2112/SI70-032.1
Thorpe, A., Miles. J.R., Masselink, G., Russell, P.E. 2014. Sediment transport and bedform dynamics in a rip current. International Coastal Symposium (Durban, 2014) . SI Journal of Coastal Research.
Miles, J,R, Thorpe, A Russell, P.E Masselink, G., 2014. Observations of bedforms on a dissipative macrotidal beach. Ocean Dynamics. DOI 10.1007/s10236-013-0677-2
Miles, J,R., 2013. Wave shape effects on sediment transport: International Coastal Symposium (Plymouth, 2013), Paper submitted for refereed journal proceedings in Journal of Coastal Research.
Thorpe, A., Miles. J.R., Masselink, G., Russell, P.E. 2013. Suspended sediment transport and bedform dynamics in a rip current. International Coastal Symposium (Plymouth, 2013), Paper submitted for refereed journal proceedings in Journal of Coastal Research.
Butt, T., Russell, P.E., Miles, J. and Turner, I.L., 2007. Sediment transport processes in the swash zone of sandy beaches. International Coastal Symposium, Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue 50, 636-640. ISSN 0749.0208
Miles J.R. Butt, T., Russell, P.E. 2006. Swash zone sediment dynamics: A comparison of a dissipative and an intermediate beach Marine Geology 231, 181-200.
Butt, T., Russell, P.E., Puleo, J.A., Miles, J.R., and Masselink, G., 2004. The influence of bore turbulence in the swash and inner surf zones. Continental Shelf Research, 24, 757-771.
Kulkarni, C.D., Levoy, F., Montfort, O. and Miles, J. 2004. Morphological variations of a mixed sediment beachface (Teignmouth, UK). Continental Shelf Research. 24, 11, 1203-1218.
Miles , J.R. and Russell, P.E.. 2004 Dynamics of a reflective beach with a low tide terrace. Continental Shelf Research. 24, 11, 1219-1248.
Van Lancker, Lankneus, J., Hearn, S. Hoekstra, P., Levoy, F. Miles, J., Moerkerke, G., Montfort, O. and Whitehouse, R. 2004. Coastal and nearshore morphology, bedforms and sediment transport pathways at Teignmouth (UK). Continental Shelf Research. 24, 11, 1171-1202.
Saulter, A.N., Russell, P.E., Gallagher, E.L. and Miles, J.R., 2003. Observations of bed level change in a saturated surf zone. Journal of Geophysical Research. 108 C4.
Butt, T., Miles. J.R., Ganderton, P. And Russell, P.E. 2002. A simple method for calibrating optical backscatter sensors in high concentrations of non-cohesive sediments. Marine Geology 192, 419-424.
Miles , J.R., Russell, P.E. and Huntley, D.A., 2001. Field measurements of the effect of seawalls on sediment transport. Journal of Coastal Research, 17 (1), 195-206.
Ruessink, G.B., Miles, J.R., Fedderson, F. and Guza, R.T., 2001. Modeling the alongshore current. Journal of Geophysical Research. 16 (10), 22451-22463.
CONFERENCE PAPERS
Miles, J., Coles, D.S., Paine, A., Barr, S. Flow characteristics at Ramsey Sound relevant to tidal device deployment and recovery planning. PRIMARE conference, Exeter Penryn, 2022
Coles, DS., Wray, B., Stevens, R., Crawford, S. Miles.J. Impacts of tidal stream energy on supply-demand balancing in hybrid systems. PRIMARE conference, Exeter Penryn, 2022
Allen, J.A., Iglesias, G., Greaves, D., Miles. J., Physical modelling of the effect of the wave field on the WAVECAT WEC. Primare conference, 2020.
Miles, J, Rogan, C., Simmonds D., Iglesias G., 2016. Hydrodynamics near windfarm monopile foundations. 3rd PRIMARE Conference, Bath, 2016.
Rogan, C., Miles, J., Simmonds D., Iglesias G., 2014. The Hydrodynamics of Monopile Foundations - Experimental Measurements of Near Bed and Free Stream Turbulence. Proceedings of Renew 2014, Lisbon, Portugal.
Rogan, C., A. C. Bennis, I. Garcia-Hermosa, G. Iglesias, V. Magar, J. Miles, G. Perret, G. Pinon, A. Rivier, D. Simmonds. Physical and Numerical Modelling of Hydrodynamics and Sediment Transport at Monopile Foundations - a poster presented to the 1st PRIMaRE Conference, Plymouth, 4th - 5th June 2014.
C. Rogan, J. Miles, D. Simmonds, G. Iglesias. The Hydrodynamics of Monopile Foundations - Experimental Measurements of Shear Stress and Turbulence - oral presentation at the 16th Biennial Challenger Society Marine Conference, Plymouth, 8th - 11th September 2014, Abstract # 5472
Magar, V., N. Abcha, A.-C. Bennis, J. Brossard, D.C. Conley, E. Ellis, A. Ezersky, D. Greaves, M.S. Gross, G. Iglesias, K. Littlewood, J. Miles1, D. Mouaze, G. Perret, G. Pinon, D. Simmonds 2013 Laboratory-Scale Environmental Impact Assessment of a Monopile Foundation under Different Wave Conditions (OFELIA). EWEA OFFSHORE 2013, Frankfurt.
Miles, J.R., Thorpe, A., Russell, P.E. and Masselink, G. 2013. Quantification of ripple and mega-ripple migration rates in the nearshore. Coastal Dynamics ‘13, Bordeaux.
Thorpe, A., Miles. J.R., Masselink, G., Russell, P.E. 2012. Bedform dynamics in a rip channel on a macrotidal beach. International Conference on Coastal Engineering, Santander Spain.
Thorpe, A., Miles. J.R., Masselink, G., Russell, P.E. 2012. Field measurements of bedforms in a rip-channel on a macro-tidal beach. YCSEC, Bangor.
Miles, J., 2009. Sediment tranpsort under asymmetric waves. UK Sediments Initiative, Liverpool, May 2009.
Doyle, L.D; Barlow, M.J. and Miles, J. 2008. Prediction of 500m Kayaking performance and anthropometric characterisitcs in recreational kayakers. The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences Annual student conference. Bedfordshire. May 2008.
Miles J.R., Russell, P.E., Ruessink, B.G., and Huntley, D.A. 2004. Tidal variations in shear wave energy. AGU Ocean Sciences meeting, Portland Oregon.
Butt, T., Russell, P.E., Masselink, G., Miles, J.R., Huntley, D.A., Evans, D., and Ganderton, P. 2003. An integrative approach to investigating the role of swash in shoreline change. Proceedings 28th International Conference on Coastal Engineering, ASCE, 917-928.
Butt, T., Russell, P.E., Masselink, G, Evans, D., and Miles, J.R. An integrated approach towards swash zone sediment transport. International Conference on Coastal Engineering, ASCE, Cardiff, July 2002..
Miles, J.R., Butt, T., Russell, P. E., Masselink, G., Evans, D., Ganderton, P., Huntley, D.A. 2002. Swash zone sediment dynamics on steep and shallow beaches. AGU Fall meeting, San Fransisco.
Miles, J.R., Russell, P., Butt, T., Masselink, G., Evans, D., Ganderton, P., Huntley, D.A. 2002. Swash zone sediment tranpsort. UK Oceanography 2002, Plymouth.
Tapia, I.M. Russell, P.E. and Miles, J.R., 2001. Relationship between vertical wave asymmetry and the fourth velocity moment in the surf zone: Implications for sediment transport. Lund, Sweden
Miles, J.R., Russell, P.E., Ruessink, G.B., DeBoer, A.G., Thornton E.B., and Huntley, D.A., 2000. Shear wave and edge wave distribution on a barred beach. International Conference on Coastal Engineering, ASCE, Sydney, July 2000.
Miles, J.R., Russell, P.E. and Huntley, D.A., 1997. Measuring suspended sediment response to wave reflection. Coastal Dynamics ‘97, Plymouth.
Miles, J.R., Russell, P.E. and Huntley, D.A., 1996. Field investigation of suspended sediment transport and wave reflection near a seawall. International Conference on Coastal Engineering, ASCE, Orlando, Florida.
Miles, J.R., Russell, P.E. and Huntley, D.A., 1994. Enhanced sediment transport near seawalls and reflective beaches. UK Oceanography 1994, Stirling.
Personal
Personal
Conferences organised
Invited convenor of Narshore Group - American Geophysical Union Ocean Sciences meeting, Portland Oregon..
Convenor of the Hydro and Sediment Dynamics session at the ICS2013, Plymouth.