Jamie Pringle

Biography

I was appointed as a Lecturer in 2006, Senior Lecturer in 2014 and Reader in 2022. I was awarded the William Smith Fund (Award) by the Geological Society of London in 2012 which is awarded to "for published excellence in contributions to applied and economic aspects of geoscience" within 10 years of their PhD. I am currently part of the MSc Geoscience Research course management team.

Whilst originally a geologist (BSc Geology Royal Holloway 1996) and applied sedimentologist PhD Heriot-Watt University 2003), my multi-disciplinary quantitative research has moved from capturing architectural geometries of reservoir analogues (Research Fellow Liverpool University 2004-5), through to near-surface geophysics (Reynolds Geo-Sciences Ltd 2003-4), military and now forensic geoscience, specialising in forensic geophysics.  Teaching commitments also form a large part of my duties, teaching on all Levels from school visits and outreach, through to UG, PGT and PGR programmes. I gained my MA in Teaching and Learning in HE from Keele in 2012 and have been developing various educational e-games as complementary learning environments (see publication list).

I am part of the Applied & Environmental Geophysics Group here at Keele. I am also a committee member of both the Near-Surface Geophysics and Forensic Geoscience Specialist Sub-Groups of the Geological Society of London and actively collaborate with the UK Police Service's National Crime Agency, various UK Police Service County Forces and the Environment Agency. Finally I am a scrutineer on the Chartership Panel of the Geological Society of London.

Research and scholarship

General research field

Design, application and development of geophysical, surveying, sedimentary and digital data capture engineering techniques for near-surface environmental, geological, hydrological and forensic applications.

Specific research areas

Forensic Geoscience: ongoing collaborative research projects to detect and monitor grave sites, create robust geophysical search protocols and quantitatively characterise crime scenes. Active collaboration with Staffordshire University’s Research team, West Midlands and Staffordshire Police Services, QUB University, the Macaulay Institute and the Forensic Science Service. Liaising with Murray Haynes, the National Crime Agency’s National Search Advisor.

Military Geoscience: extending battlefield sites experience in the UK and Europe (WW1 onwards) using geophysical and intrusive investigation with international colleagues.

Geophysical Investigations: experience in the industrial and academic application of seismic, electrical, GPR and EM geophysical techniques in a wide range of environments. Current applications include: investigation of contaminated land, landfills, military sites, archaeological sites and mineshaft detection.

Outcrop data capture and 3D data visualization: extensive experience using cutting-edge digital outcrop data capture technologies, integrating various data types and visualizing resulting models for 3D data extraction, virtual field trips, etc.

Reservoir Modelling: reducing petroleum reservoir model uncertainty by integrating 3D digital outcrop data to produce highly-detailed reservoir models suites.

Applied Sedimentology: extensive field experience in deep- and shallow-marine, fluvial and aeolian environments in Europe, the US and Africa. Primarily research in petroleum reservoir outcrop analogues, extracting architectural datasets.

Industrial/commercial expertise & skills 

10 years of industrial and commercial research and project experience relating to:

Technical/project management: multi-discipline experience of small and large-scale industrial projects, cost and production management.

Bid/Tender proposal development: Knowledge and experience of preparing successful, multi-disciplinary contract proposals, tends and bids.

Teaching

Year 1

FSC-10001: Forensic Science Skills and Practice

Year 3

FSC-30009: Forensic Dissertation (Supervisor)
FSC-30015 : Forensic Science Group Project (Supervisor)
FSC-30013 : Forensic Geoscience (Module Leader)
LSC-30045 : Project

Year 4

FSC-40011 : Independent Project (Supervisor)
ESC-40004/5/6 : M.Geoscience Research Project (Supervisor)
ESC-40044 : MSc Dissertation

Outreach

I am fully committed to outreach and widening participation and am involved in a variety of deliveries throughout the year, being nominated for Keele WP outreach academic contributor for the last 4 years.

My standard interactive talk/demonstration is: 'How to find a dead body' which goes down well for 12+ ages, and have also recently developed a 'Mining in WW1' talking about how geology and mining in Flanders, so please get in touch if you want either of these.

Together with Keele and Staffs University colleagues, I have also been awarded a HLF project about the 'Science behind WW1 grant which will run until Christmas 2017, please see here for details.

Finally I run a science club at a local primary school (funded by the Royal Society, Keele outreach and the school PTFA), activity/information KS1/KS2 aligned sample sheets can be downloaded below (please email me if you want the KS2 quiz answers or resources help!)

KS1

• Science Club Gold Panning
• Science Club Germs
• Science Club Light Detectives
• Science Club Matchstick Rockets
• Science Club Plants
• Science Club Technology
• Science Club Vortex Canon
• Science Club Weather

KS2

• Science Club Geologists - KS2
• Science Club Germs - KS2
• Science Club Light Detectives - KS2
• Science Club Matchstick Rockets - KS2
• Science Club Vortex Canon - KS2
• Science Club Technology - KS2
• Science Club Weather - KS2
• Science Club Chemists - KS2
• Science Club Food Science - KS2
• Science Club Temperature - KS2
• Science Club Magnetism - KS2
• Science Club Rockets - KS2
• Science Club Forensics - KS2
• Science Club Planets - KS2
• Science Club Teeth - KS2
• Science Club Metal Detectors - KS2
• Science Club Engineers - KS2
• Science Club Light Kaleidoscopes - KS2

PGT/PGR students

PGR students

Past students

• Eissa, Raad. 2019. Geotechnical site characterisation using seismic and resistivity geophysical techniques. Unpublished PhD thesis, Keele University. QJEGH
• Dick, H.C. 2018. The detection of forensic and archaeological burials using geophysics and soil analysis.  Unpublished PhD Thesis, Keele University.Resulting papers: FSI ; Geophysics ; JFS ; JCA
• Hansen, J.D. 2016. Comparison of near-surface geophysical techniques in forensic and archaeological investigations. Unpublished PhD Thesis, Keele University. Resulting papers: JFS ; FSI ; FSI ; Geolsoc ; JFS ; ESR
• Jervis, J. 2010. The detection of clandestine graves using electrical resistivity surveys: results from controlled experiments and a case study. Unpublished PhD Thesis, Keele University. Resulting papers: JFS ; JFS ; JAG ; JFS ; ESR ; NSG ; FSI ; FSI ; FSI ; JFS

PGT students

• Madden, C. 2019. Environmental forensics: characterising graveyards as a special kind of landfill. Unpublished MSc Thesis, Keele University.
• Spanton, R. 2019.  The application of microgravity surveying in assessing and monitoring the collapse of two abandoned salt mines in Marston, Cheshire, UK. Unpublished MSc Thesis, Keele University.
• Fonseca, C. 2019. Using multigeophysical techniques to detect potential clandestine graves in Staffordshire, UK.  Unpublished MSc Thesis, Keele University. 
• Carr, S. 2019. Multidisciplinary investigation of the Norfolk and Suffolk Auxiliary Unit Operational Bases used in WW2. Unpublished MSc Thesis, Keele University.
• James McQuade. 2018. Microgravity monitoring of abandoned salt mines and ongoing changes in subsidence within Marston, Cheshire, UK. Unpublished M.Geoscience thesis, Keele University.
• Ainsworth, J. 2017. Geophysical investigations into WW2 air raid shelters. Unpublished MSc Thesis, Keele University. 
  Resulting paper: JCA
• Cooper, N. 2017. Using geophysical methods to pinpoint the location of a clandestine burial in difficult terrain.  Unpublished MSc Thesis, Keele University.  
• Francis, J. 2017. Multi-geophysics and survey investigation into geophysical responses of graveyard burials of varying ages and in different soil classifications.  Unpublished MSc Thesis, Keele University.Resulting paper: Geophysics
• Jones, P. 2017. The effect of building on microgravity surveys.  Unpublished MSc Thesis, Keele University.  
• Lloyd, Z. 2017. A desk study on the geotechnical parameters of the HS2 Phase 2a route.  Unpublished MSc Thesis, Keele University. 
• Jessica Fulton. 2016. Long-term time-lapse microgravity of relict salt mines, Marston, Cheshire.   Unpublished M.Geoscience thesis, Keele University.
• Prada, A. 2016. Sedimentological aspects of the Early Namurian deposits (Pendleian-Arnsbergian) of the North Staffordshire Basin, UK).  Unpublished MSc Thesis, Keele University.
• Rees-Hughes, L. 2016. Multidisciplinary investigation into Allied and Axis POW escape tunnels constructed during WW2.  Unpublished MSc Thesis, Keele University. Resulting paper:JCA
• Locher, P. 2015. Geophysical investigations of historic Spanish burials. Unpublished MSc Thesis, Keele University.  
  Resulting paper: FSI
• Van der Putten, R. 2015. Quantifying geophysical response of graves against age of burial.  Unpublished MSc Thesis, Keele University.  
  Resulting paper: FSI 
• Gethin Evan. 2015. The use of graveyard geophysical surveys to estimate burial age in different soil types.  Unpublished M.Geoscience thesis, Keele University.
• Ian Williams. 2015. Near-surface geophysical survey for the detection of the historical foundations of 16th Century Tixall Hall, Tixall, Staffordshire.  Unpublished M.Geoscience thesis, Keele University. 
• Roberts, D. 2014. Geophysical Exploration of the Cementerio del Salvador, Oviedo, Spain. Unpublished MSc Thesis, Keele University.  
  Resulting paper: FSI
• Chris Banner. 2013. Monitoring of a simulated clandestine burial below a patio using GPR.  Unpublished M.Geoscience thesis, Keele University. 
  Resulting Paper:  FSI
• Joe Pimley. 2013. Microgravity and geotehcnical monitoring of relict salt mines, Marston, Cheshire, UK.  Unpublished M.Geoscience thesis, Keele University.
• Kate Pearson, 2010. Time-lapse geophysical investigations over collapsing salt mines, Marston, Cheshire, UK. Unpublished M.Geoscience thesis, Keele University.
  Resulting Paper:  Geophys
• Steven Banham. 2009. Near Surface Geophysical Investigation to detect abandoned mine workings, Apedale, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs. Unpublished M.Geoscience thesis, Keele University.
  Resulting Paper: NSG
• Natalie Chambers. 2009. A multi-disciplinary investigation to locate Roman and Medieval settlements, Staffordshire, UK.  Unpublished M.Geoscience thesis, Keele University.
• Fiona Marsden. 2009. A forensic geophysical investigation to determine optimum resistivity configurations.  Unpublished M.Geoscience thesis, Keele University.
• Alanna Juerges. 2008. Evaluating magnetics as a technique to locate clandestine burials in a variety of environments. Unpublished M.Geoscience thesis, Keele University.
  Resulting Paper: NSG
• John Wood. 2008. Creating high-resolution, 3D reservoir models from unconfined turbidite systems: examples from the Ross Formation, W. Ireland and the Gres d'Annot, SE France. Unpublished M.Geoscience thesis, Keele University.
• Sarah Chisem. 2007. Geophysical investigation of a para-glacial pingo, Llanpumsaint, South Wales. Unpublished M.Geoscience thesis, Keele University.