DrJames Lawrence

James Lawrence is a Reader in Geological Engineering who specialises in upper Cretaceous carbonate geology (Chalk), rock engineering and remote sensing (InSAR). These research specialisms support civil infrastructure, the energy sector and climate change impact. James has had the opportunity to develop his academic and research skills through involvement with multiple major infrastructure projects including HS2, Thames Tideway, The Lower Thames Crossing, and involvement in the nuclear power lifecycle from construction to decommissioning, and eventual disposal of radioactive waste in a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF).
 
After graduating from Cardiff University with a MSc. in Mineral Resources he worked as a geologist in the petroleum industry before joining the University of Brighton. At the University of Brighton James worked as a researcher and lecturer, whilst studying towards his PhD. His research focused on the engineering properties of the chalk in relation to coastal environments and processes. This research gave James the opportunity to work on several major pan-European research and industrial projects.

In 2008 James accepted a lectureship in Engineering and Petroleum Geology at the University of Leeds. With his team of research students James worked throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia. James was Director of Masters Education and Deputy Director of the Earth Surface Science Institute research group.

In 2013 James left the University of Leeds to work as the Geological Investigations Manager at Radioactive Waste Management Ltd (RWM) (now NWS) he managed the site characterisation project focusing on developing a new programme for the disposal of the UK’s radioactive waste in an underground Geological Disposal Facility (GDF).

James joined Imperial College London in 2016 as a Senior Lecturer within the Geotechnics Group, in 2022 he became a Reader in Geological Engineering. His research group concentrate on a whole rock approach to geological engineering. His current research is focused development of remote sensing and earth observation tools such as InSAR and other technologies to monitor ground movements, Upper Cretaceous Carbonates (Chalk), and rock engineering, driven by the needs of the civil  infrastructure and energy sectors.

James has successfully led over 30 research projects including the supervision of over 20 research students. He has authored over 50 publications and two books. He has worked on several large infrastructure projects and written numerous industrial reports. Recent and current research projects include:
 
•    Structural Assessment through Radar Remote Sensing (StARRS)
•    Engineering in the Chalk 
•    Deformation measurement and geological insight from InSAR for the rural UK 
•    Understanding geological evolution of chalk cliffs and coastal processes using InSAR
•     Detection of ground movement induced by the Tideway East deep tunnel, using InSAR and ground surveying
•     Long-term nuclear decommissioning InSAR monitoring
•     The safety and regulatory challenges associate with the geological disposal of the UK’s higher activity radioactive waste in England and Wales
•    The geology and geomorphology of West Cumbria
•     The geological disposal of high level wastes in China
•     Infrastructure challenges posed by The Harwich Formation
•     The role of faulting in London: How tectonic-scale processes influence site-scale geotechnical behaviour
•     Retardation of radionuclides and contaminants in weathered chalk
 
Teaching responsibilities include Rock Engineering, Soils and Engineering Geology, Site Investigation and Geomorphology at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. He leads four field trips each year in the UK and Greece. Current management responsibilities include 1st year co-ordinator for the Civil Engineering (MEng) course.

James is an Vice Chair of the British Geotechnical Association (BGA) and he is on the editorial board of the Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology.

Areas of expertise:

Upper Cretaceous carbonates (Chalk), Quaternary geomorphology, geological disposal of radioactive waste, geomechanics, structural geology, petroleum reservoir characterisation, InSAR (Interferometric synthetic aperture radar) coastal processes related to the impact of climate change and weathering of rock.