Ewch i’r prif gynnwys
Peter Brabham  B.Sc., Ph.D.,  FGS., C.Geol.

Dr Peter Brabham

B.Sc., Ph.D., FGS., C.Geol.

Senior Lecturer

Ysgol Gwyddorau'r Ddaear a'r Amgylchedd

Email
Brabham@caerdydd.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 29208 74334
Campuses
Y Prif Adeilad, Ystafell 3.18, Plas y Parc, Caerdydd, CF10 3AT
Comment
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Trosolwyg

Interests 

  • Seismic Exploration
  • Environmental & Engineering Geophysics
  • South Wales Coalfield - Geology and Industrial development
  • Landscape Visualization

Cyhoeddiad

2021

2020

2018

2014

2012

2011

2008

2005

Adrannau llyfrau

Cynadleddau

Erthyglau

Llyfrau

Ymchwil

Peter researches in the practical applications of geophysical techniques to civil engineering, environmental analysis, mineral resources and archaeology.

His background lies in the application of high resolution seismic reflection surveying to terrestrial exploration targets, but he has a wide interest in other geophysical surveying techniques such as electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), micro-gravity, magnetics, electromagnetics, 3D laser scanning and GPR. He lectures on exploration geophysics at BSc and MSc level as well as contributing widely to modules in remote sensing, global natural resources, Quaternary Geology and information technology / surveying / sampling / mapping skills training.

He is the project training and industrial liaison manager for the MSc. Applied Environmental Geology degree, which has introduced over 600 Masters level students into the professional geo-environmental industry. Based on 25 years of practical experience of student field-skills training, he has co-authored a student text book on basic geological field mapping techniques.

He is a native of the Rhondda Valley and was brought up surrounded by the decline of the coal industry and subsequent brown-field land redevelopment projects which has always fascinated him. He graduated in BSc Geophysics from University College Cardiff in 1982 and subsequently obtained a Ph.D. from Durham University in 1986 on the application of high resolution seismic reflection techniques to opencast coal exploration. He is a Chartered Geologist, an MSc course external examiner and past president of the Southern Wales group of the Geological Society of London.

Peter has published research papers on terrestrial high resolution shallow seismic reflection and its application to the exploration of the shallow sub-surface. In particular he has worked as part of an interdisciplinary research team on  Quaternary sequences at coastal sites around North Wales and Cumbria which were formed and later deformed by climate change related glacial fluctuations of ice in the Irish Sea. He has worked on two permafrost mapping projects; a European PACE project investigating the use of geophysical techniques in mapping permafrost in the Alps, plus a CCW funded project investigating relict Pingo sites in Wales. In 2005 he spent time in Svalbard (in the Arctic circle) geophysically mapping active pingos.

Over the past decade he has worked a little closer to home using geophysical mapping techniques to investigate the pollution risks of active and derelict landfill sites in South Wales. He is currently working on the application of multi-technique geophysical mapping and 3D laser scanning of active landslides in the South Wales valleys and Monmouthshire. In 2008 his team won the Cardiff University Innovation Award for their applied landslide studies.

Peter's passion is in applying new digital mapping and visualization techniques to his teaching and this has resulted in publications and a PhD study with the School of History charting the 3D development of landscape, mining and social issues in South Wales. He gives engagement talks where the audience wear 3D glasses to obtain a spectacular three-dimensional view of Wales' relationship with landscape, geology & mining. Peter is currently working with the GRC group at Cardiff University on innovative ground energy-related projects.

In his spare time Peter is a very keen photographer of industrial landscapes and has a FLICKR photographic website that has received over 3 million hits. In 2012 he used his photographic library to publish a well-received book on the demise of Barry Docks and its critical role in the growing interest in UK industrial heritage steam railways,  due to the World renowned railway locomotive scrapyard that was once located on-site.

Addysgu

I have a large and diverse teaching & learning portfolio: My primary teaching management job at this time is as the Course Director of the M.Sc. in Applied Environmental Geology. I teach Masters' level modules in environmental geophysics, air photography, environmental surveying, transferable skills (IT & field-equipment based)  plus  project training & management. I manage the M.Sc. fieldwork skills training programme and also organise the industrial placements for all our M.Sc. students. As well as Masters' level teaching, 

I also contribute widely to the Undergraduate teaching programme having 10 years of past experience as the Course Director of the B.Sc. Exploration Geology degree. In year 1, I contribute to the the IT induction and field-skills training sessions, whilst I also teach a full module in Natural Resources & Energy to all EARTH year 1 students. In year 2, I teach a module in geophysical exploration methods and contribute to another module in data analysis and visualisation.

I have also taught earthquake seismology at year 2 level. I also contribute to general geological and applied environmental fieldwork skills  training programmes throughout the academic year. In year 3,  I regularly supervise B.Sc. dissertation projects for  both Exploration Geology and Environmental Geoscience degree programmes.  I have also nine years of experience as an external examiner for taught Masters' level degrees at both Portsmouth & Leeds Universities.

Bywgraffiad

  • EARTH Publicity & Events co-ordinator Officer
  • Chairman Southern Wales Group of the Geol.Soc.London.
  • Captain University Staff Cricket XI
  • PhD (Durham) "High Resolution shallow seismics in Opencast Coal Exploration" 1986
  • BSc Geophysics (UCW, Cardiff) 1982

Anrhydeddau a dyfarniadau

  • 25 mlynedd o wobr gwasanaeth, Prifysgol Caerdydd.

Aelodaethau proffesiynol

Fellow Geological Society, EEGS, SEG

Pwyllgorau ac adolygu

  • Pwyllgor Mannau Corfforol y Brifysgol
  • Pwyllgor E-ddysgu'r Brifysgol
  • Cynrychiolydd rhaglen Coleg Learn-Plus
  • EARTH Teaching and Learning Executive
  • Pwyllgor TG EARTH