Prof. dr. Chris Spiers

Earth Simulation Lab
Princetonlaan 4
Kamer 0.02
3584 CB Utrecht

Prof. dr. Chris Spiers

Emeritus Professor
Experimental rock deformation
+31 30 253 4972
c.j.spiers@uu.nl

C.J. Spiers, Emeritus Professor, HPT Laboratory

Dept. of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University (UU), The Netherlands

 

1. Personal details and profile

Name and qualifications Christopher James Spiers, Ph.D., D.I.C., A.R.S.M.
Born 27 November 1953, Aberdare, South Wales, U.K. (British National)
Field of expertise Experimental rock and fault mechanics; rheological and transport properties of rock materials at high pressures and temperatures; controlling microphysical and micro-chemical mechanisms; chemical effects of fluid-rock interaction, geological storage in reservoirs, aquifers, coal seams, and salt caverns; effects of CO2 on reservoir behaviour and seal integrity; stress-strain-sorption and transport properties of rocks in relation to unconventional gas production.

 

2. University education

1976-1980 Ph.D. research, Department of Geology, Imperial College, University of London, U.K. (Degree awarded 1982)
1972-1975 B.Sc. (1st class) in Geology, Imperial College, University of London, U.K. Watts Medal.

 

3. Career

Since  03/2020 Emeritus Professor at High Pressure and Temperature Laboratory, Utrecht University (UU), Faculty of Geosciences following retirement on 27 March 2020.
Since 1994 Professor of Earth Materials and Experimental Rock Deformation, Utrecht University (UU), Faculty of Geosciences.
  Head of High Pressure and Temperature Laboratory (HPT Lab).
  Head of Experimental rock deformation group (since 1992).
1990-1994 Associate Professor in Experimental Rock Deformation, UU.
1983-1990 Assistant Professor in Experimental Rock Deformation, UU.
1982-1983 Postdoctoral researcher, Dept. of Structural Geology, UU.
1980-1981 Miller Research Fellow, Dept. of Geology & Geo­physics, Univ. of California, Berkeley, USA.

 

4. International Guest / Adjunct Professorships

2012-2017 Adjunct Professor in Geological Storage of CO2, University of Saskatchewan (Regina), Canada
Since 2010 Permanent Guest Professor, State Key Laboratory of Earthquake Dynamics, Institute of Geology, China Earthquake Administration, Beijing, P.R. China
2003 JSPS Fellowship, Guest Professor, Tokyo Insitute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan

 

5. Scientific record and awards

 
  • Reviewed international publications: >200
  • Published abstracts: >300
  • Presentations at international scientific meetings and seminars: > 300
  • Royal Dutch Shell Prize, May 1992 for contribution to experimental rock deformation
  • Néel Medal 2017, European Geosciences Union (https://www.egu.eu/awards-medals/louis-neel/)
  • H-index: > 53 (Scopus)
  • PhD students supervised: 40 in total; 3 active at present.

 

6. Former management and academic leadership duties

 
  • Management and leadership of Experimental Rock Deformation Group, Head of HPT Laboratory
  • Director, Earth Materials Research Theme, Earth Dynamics Research Programme, UU
  • Dean, Faculty of Earth Sciences
  • Director of Education, Faculty of Earth Sciences
  • Programme Leader, MSc Degree in Earth Structure and Dynamics
  • Member, Scientific Steering Committee, Top Research School ISES
  • Member, Programme Council, National Carbon Capture, Utilization & Storage Programme