Nicola Scarselli

Dr

  • TW20 0EX

Personal profile

Educational background

  • PhD, Department of Earth Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, UK.
  • BSc and MSc Geology, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Florence, Italy.

Personal profile

I am a Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in the Department of Earth Sciences at Royal Holloway, University of London. 

I am currently Senior Tutor and PGT Education Lead for the Earth Sciences Departement. I am also the Royal Holloway representative for the GeoNetZero Centre for Doctoral Training, a PhD research program that focuses on the application of geosciences for the low carbon energy transition.

Research interests

My research investigates Earth's tectonic and sedimentary processes and how these relate to subsurface fluid flow, resource distribution and geo-energy systems. A significant component of my work also focuses on submarine landslides examining their initiation, architecture and mobility. This includes assessing the geohazard potential of large-scale mass-transport events, their triggers and recurrence, and their impact on seabed infrastructure, sediment routing and margin evolution. Key reserach topics are -

  • Stratigraphy & structural geology
  • Submarine landslides & gravity-driven deformation
  • Seismic geomorphology
  • Fluid flow in sedimentary basins

I welcome enquiries from prospective MSc and PhD students and post-doctoral researchers interested in developing research proposals in my areas of expertise.

Teaching

GL1301 Human Interaction with the Earth: terrestrial & marine landslides; geostorage; resource exploration; critical elements; nuclear waste disposal

GL1900 Earth Scientist's Toolkit: field sketching

GL2200 Stratigraphy & Past Sedimentary Environments: stratigraphic methods; terrestrial deposits

GL3700 Subsurface Analysis: methods for subsurface evaluation with lab practicals (reflection seismic and well log analysis); reservoir, trap & seal for resource exploration & geostorage; evaluation of near-seabed geology for placement of seabed infrastructures (communicaiton cables & wind farms)

GL3780 Subsurface Storage of CO2 & Energy: workflows for CCS in sedimentary basins; lab pacticals on monitoring of CO2 injection

Supervision of PhD, MSc, MSci & BSc projects

I have been leading several field courses in Cornwall, Dorset, Devon and Somerset, providing practical training in geological field methods and their applications to energy resource exploration and geostorage.

Consultancy

I deliver industry training in seismic interpretation and undertake consultancy work focused on subsurface analysis, basin evaluation and exploration, with applications across energy-transition geoscience and mineral exploration.

I am open to consultancy opportunities and collaborations with the geo-energy and georesource industry, including service companies specialising in geohazards and seabed assessment.

Other work

External examiner for taught courses and PhD VIVAs:  University of Namibia, Imperial College, University of Leeds, University of Chieti-Pescara, University of Peshawar

Peer reviewer for: Marine Geology, Tectonics, Geology, Journal of Structural Geology, Geo-Marine Letters, Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, Basin Research, Marine and Petroleum Geology, Interpretation, Journal of the Geological Society, Sedimentary Geology, Marine Geoscience and Energy Resources.

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
  • SDG 14 - Life Below Water

Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

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