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Staff Profile

Dr Jean Hall

Senior Lecturer in Engineering Geology

  • Email: jean.hall@ncl.ac.uk
  • Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 8783
  • Address: School of Engineering
    Room 2.08A
    Drummond Building
    Newcastle University
    Newcastle upon Tyne
    NE1 7RU
    UK
Background

Background:

Dr Jean Hall joined the University in the School of Engineering 2006 as a Research Associate working in the field of Electrokinetic Geosynthetics and their use in industrial applications. In 2008 she joined the lecturing staff initially in the Environmental Engineering group and in 2009 moved into Geotechnical and Structures group. Her research interests focus on three main themes; the geotechnical implications of the legacy of coal mining (with particular applications in understanding the presence of CO2 in the near surface environment); the ability to assess and change the in-situ engineering properties of materials in response to conductivity drivers; the implementation of the use of EKG in cross discipline applications for dewatering and stabilisation of material. Her main area of teaching revolves around the engineering design process, geotechnics, geology and rock engineering for civil engineers and engineering geologists.

Roles and Responsibilities:                     

Degree Programme Director  for all MEng/BEng Civil Engineering programmes

Deputy Degree Programme Director (MSc Engineering Geology / Geotechnical Engineering)

Qualifications:

PhD Engineering Geology (2007) Newcastle University

MSc Engineering Geology (2000) Newcastle University

BSc (Hons) Geoscience (1996) University of St Andrews

Esteem indicators:

Vice Chancellors Distinguished Teachers Award 2012 

Memberships:

Fellow of the Geological Society

British Geotechnical Society

International Association of Engineering Geologists

International Geosynthetics Society

Industrial Experience Overview

After completing an undergraduate degree Dr Hall joined the offshore petroleum industry before leaving after 4yrs as a Wellsite Geologist responsible for the day to day reporting and monitoring of the geological-related operations on an oil installation. After completing the MSc in Engineering Geology, Dr Hall worked for a variety of ground engineering contractors and consultants as an Engineering Geologist conducting ground investigations and interpretive reports on a number of challenging project site. Research was an ambition and therefore she commenced a PhD at Newcastle University in 2002.

Past positions

Research Associate in Geotechnical Engineering, Newcastle University (2006 – 2008)

Engineering Geologist. Fugro Exploration Services  (2005 – 2006)

Engineering Geologist. Exploration Associates Ltd. (became Soil Mechanics Ltd).  (2000 – 2002)

Engineering Geologist. Ian Farmer Associates, Newcastle upon Tyne.  (1999)

Wellsite Geologist. HRH Ltd.  (1998 – 1999)

Mudlogging Engineer. Schlumberger Anadrill. (1996 – 1998)

Current Consultancy

1997 – 2020 Military Geologist (as part of Army Reserve)

Research

Research Interests:

Dr Hall’s research interests focus on three main themes; the geotechnical implications of the legacy of coal mining (with particular applications in understanding the presence of CO2 in the near surface environment); the ability to assess and change the in-situ engineering properties of materials in response to conductivity drivers; the implementation of the use of EKG in cross discipline applications for dewatering and stabilisation of material. My current research is industry-focussed and collaborates strongly to try and solve the ‘real’ problems experienced by practitioners in the Engineering Geology industry. Her expertise is in field applications of experimental research and concept of proof for industry. Examples of this current research in progress are projects with TerraConsult Ltd (an Environmental consultancy) on CO2 in the near surface environment, Electrokinetic Ltd (University spin-out company) in the use of EKG in dewatering waste products and Aggregate Industries on Rockfall hazard appraisal systems different projects.

Research Supervision

I am always interested in discussing opportunities for postgraduate study within my group. A list of projects currently on offer can be found at www.ceg.ncl.ac.uk/gest/postgrad/phdprojects.htm, but I am also open to discussing other potential projects. Funding may be secured from a variety of sources, including an annual competition for research council funding.

Esteem Indicators

Northern Geological Group committee member (2007 – present)

Member of the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering Committee on Geo-engineering Education (current)

Keynote speaker at Geo Environmental Workshop: Innovation through collaboration (March 2009)

Invited seminar on EKG at Tsinghua University, China (March 2009)

Invited reviewer of Geological Society CPD courses

Invited by MinSoc and Geological Society to lead respective field trips to Coal Mining operational sites as part of conference visits and bicentennial activities.

Current Funded Projects

Carbon dioxide degassing in coal mine waters, £19,150, Coal Authority, 2011-2012

Characterisation of Carbon Dioxide in the Near Surface Ground Gas Environment, £18,000 TerraConsult Ltd., 2011–2014 (support to a PhD studentship)
Teaching

Undergraduate

CEG1001 Design of Sustainable Engineering Systems (75% and Module Leader)

CEG3099/8099 Dissertations (~ 3 students per year)

Postgraduate

CEG8202 Ground Investigation design, principles and practice (60% and Module Leader)

CEG8206 Engineering and Applied Geology (70% and Module Leader)

CEG8207 Field Class (50%)

CEG8606 Contaminated Land (10%)

CEG8299 Dissertation (~6 students per year)

Publications