Skip to main content
Dr Peter Brabham B.Sc., Ph.D.,  FGS., C.Geol.

Dr Peter Brabham

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

Senior Lecturer in Applied Geology & Geophysics

Email
brabham@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 (0)29 2087 4334
Campuses
3.18, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT
Comment
Media commentator

Overview

Interests

  • Seismic exploration
  • Environmental geophysics
  • Coal geology
  • Brownfield site regeneration
  • Environmental remote sensing

Biography

  • Senior Lecturer in Applied Geology & Geophysics – School of Earth & Ocean Sciences Cardiff University (2009- present)
  • Invited Lecturer in Applied Geophysics – Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol (2004/2005)
  • Lecturer in Applied Geophysics – Department of Geology, Cardiff University. (1992 – 2009)
  • Junior Lecturer in Applied Geophysics – Department of Geology, University College Cardiff (1988 – 1992)
  • Contract Teaching Assistant – M.Sc. Engineering Geology, School of Engineering, Durham University (1986)
  • Ph.D. – Department of Geological Sciences, Durham University (1986)
  • BSc. Geophysics -  University College Cardiff (1982).

Honours and awards

  • 25 years of service award, Cardiff University.

Professional memberships

  • Fellow of the Geological Society of London

Speaking engagements

I am a STEM ambassador and past president of the Southern Wales Regional Group of the Geological Society  of London. I give regular research talks on case study applications of applied geophysics and also the mining history and lecacy issues of Wales. I also present practical outreach days on "exploration techniques" and "earthquakes"  primarily to secondary schools teaching A-Level Geology.

Committees and reviewing

  • University Physical Spaces Committee
  • University E-learning Committee
  • College Learn-Plus programme representative
  • EARTH Teaching & Learning executive
  • EARTH IT committee

Publications

2021

2020

2018

2014

2012

2011

2008

2005

Teaching

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.

My primary research background is in the application of seismic exploration techniques (reflection & refraction) to the exploration of the shallow terrestrial sub-surface. I am also widely experienced in the application of many other geophysical techniques ; microgravity, magnetics, electrical imaging, E/M surveying, GPR, microseismic monitoring and 3D laser scanning to solve particular applied geological problems.

I have experience in applying geophysical techniques to mineral exploration (coal and metalliferous), Quaternary geology, active landslides, landfill management, permafrost / peat bog mapping  and brownfield contaminated land regeneration. I have a long term interest in the natural resource industrial mining history of Wales (both coal & metals) and their current legacy issues.  I am a member of the SEREN ground energy research group in Cardiff University.