Prof. Jared West

Profile

University of Leeds, UK: Lecturer (1992), Senior Lecturer (2003), Associate Professor in Hydrogeology (2012), Professor in Hydrogeology (2020)

Jared West's research addresses physical and geophysical approaches to the characterization of fluid flow, contaminant movement and mechanical properties of fractured rock, utilising hydraulic (pumping) and tracer tests, geophysical logging and geoelectrical techniques.  He has over 25 years of experience teaching hydrogeology and engineering Geology at UG and PG level, including class and field teaching and MSc dissertation project supervision.  He has contributed to the MSc in Hydrogeology (ran from 2004 -2012) and MSc in Engineering Geology (1967 - ) at University of Leeds  and from 2013 to 2017 was Programme Leader for the MSc in Engineering Geology. He has been Deputy Head of School of Earth and Environment with responsibility for staff, since 2017.  Jared has published more than 50 peer reveiwed articles on topics including hydrogeology, hydrogeophysics, engineering geology and rock engineering, and has supervised more than 20 PhD students.

Research interests

My research has concerned the development and application of physical and geophysical approaches to the characterization of hydrological processes and mechanical properties within the Earth's Critical Zone , with particular focus on fractured rock. Groundwater is an important source of drinking water throughout the world but is also used for irrigation and industrial purposes; it requires protection from pollution by over-abstraction, agrochemicals and disposal of wastes, including deep radioactive waste disposal.

Protecting groundwater requires a good understanding of the processes of flow and pollutant transport within aquifers; my research has focussed on the development and application of direct, borehole-based physical measurement techniques includling hydraulic and tracer testing, and indirect geophysical techniques such as ground penetrating radar, and use of such techniques to inform modelling. Work has involved field scale experiments and monitoring of fractured rock aquifers, and laboratory-based approaches for measuring properties of rock discontinuities. In recent years my research has taken on an increasingly applied emphasis, working with end-users (water companies, government agencies, hydrocarbons industry) to use scientific understanding developed to inform management of resources and risks, and land-use planning.

A new theme has involved the development of the Leeds Critical Zone Observatory at the University of Leeds Farm, part of the new Global Food and Environment Institute. In summary, my research interests are concerned with the characterisation of the Earth's Critical Zone, including:

1. quantification of Critical Zone hydrological processes and associated pollutant impacts;
2. development of methods for measuring fluid flow and rock discontinuity properties, especially in fractured aquifers;
3. application of knowledge of aquifer processes to predict the impacts of human activities, with reference to questions regarding land management and agricultural practice, and  deep uses of the subsurface.

Qualifications

• University of Cambridge, UK; B.A. in Geological Sciences.
• University of Leeds, UK: PhD in Engineering Geology

Professional memberships

• Fellow of the Geological Society of London
• Chartered Geologist (C.Geol)

Student education

Current role includes taught classes in physical hydrogeology and aquifer characterisation, at both UG and PG level, and dissertation project supervision (engineering geology at PG level).  I have previously held Programme Leader roles at both UG and PG level, and was Deputy Head of School of Earth and Environment responsible for staff development, from 2017 to 2022.  I currently supervise 3 PhD students: Dan Matthews, Georgia Barker and Stephen Foster.

Research groups and institutes

• Institute of Applied Geoscience
• Petrophysics and Geomechanics
• Applied Geophysics

Current postgraduate researchers

• Stephen Foster
• Daniel Matthews
• Felipe Gallardo Ceron