Personal Statement
Education
• BSc Physics 1972 Durham University
• PhD Geophysics 1976 Durham University

Academic Distinctions:
• Lyell Medal of the Geological Society of London (2019)
• Bigsby Medal of the Geological Society of London (1987)
• Bullerwell Lecturer of the Royal Astronomical Society (1987)

University appointments
• Professorial Research Fellow, University of Liverpool, 2011 - 2020
• Professor of Geophysics, Earth Sciences Department, University of Liverpool, 1986 – 2011
• Lecturer in Geophysics, Geology Department, Keele University, 1977-1985
• Assistant Lecturer in Geophysics, Geological Sciences Department, Durham University, 1974 -1976

Key Roles at the University of Liverpool
• Head of Department of Earth & Ocean Sciences, University of Liverpool (1997-2000 & 2008-2011)
• Head of Geodynamics Research Group, University of Liverpool, 1986 - 2011
• Programme Director for Geophysics Undergraduate Teaching (1986-1997 & 2002-2006)
• Member of University of Liverpool Budget Group (2000-2003)
• Member of University of Liverpool Policy and Resources Committee (2000-2003)
• Member of University of Liverpool Council (2002-2005)

Research Overview
His early career research investigated the geophysical and geodynamic response of the Earth’s lithosphere to applied forces and the resulting deformation. His recent research has focussed on the structure and formation processes of rifted continental margins and global marine crustal thickness mapping using satellite gravity anomaly data. In 2019 he was awarded the Lyell Medal of the Geological Society of London for his scientific contributions to rifted continental margin research.

His current research includes:
(i) quantitative observations of the distribution and timing of lithosphere thinning and stretching at rifted continental margins and the investigation of ocean-continent transition structure and formation processes;
(ii) development of new models of continental breakup, sea-floor spreading initiation and rifted margin formation;
(iii) crustal thickness mapping at rifted continental margins, micro-continents and oceanic plateaux using satellite gravity anomaly data.

To date he has published over 125 paper in international journals (Citations = 8560, H-Index = 54) and has supervised over 60 PhD students, the majority of whom have gone into industry. His scientific contributions were spotlighted in the 2006 NERC (UKRC) report to UK Government.

His Key scientific contributions include:
(i) the prediction of upward stress transfer and amplification within continental and oceanic lithosphere and its thermo-rheological control of lithosphere strength;
(ii) the development of the flexural cantilever model of intra-continental rift basin formation and its application to quantitative structural and stratigraphic modelling;
(iii) the observation of lithosphere depth-dependent lithosphere stretching and thinning at rifted continental margins and its implications for rifted margin formation and evolution;
(iv) the development and successful testing of new models of continental lithosphere stretching and thinning leading to continental break-up and sea-floor spreading initiation;
(v) the development and application of new geophysical techniques for mapping crustal thickness and ocean-continent transition structure using satellite gravity inversion and the production of the first comprehensive crustal thickness maps for the Arctic and Antarctic polar regions.

In the last decade he has co-led a sequence of industry consortia research projects (iSIMM, MM2, MM3, MM4, M5) focussing on rifted continental margin structure and formation processes.