Dr Kirstie Wright is a member of the BGS subsurface geology team with extensive experience working across research, the energy industry and as a consultant. She is an expert in the technical evaluation of geological and geophysical data for subsurface characterisation and basin analysis. She regularly bringing her knowledge to multi-disciplinary projects that deliver impactful scientific results, for public, private and governmental clients in the UK and internationally. She currently is involved in several strategic projects including radioactive waste disposal, natural hydrogen, and carbon storage and mineralisation.
Kirstie Wright’s biography
- 2023 to present: Higher Subsurface Geoscientist, BGS
- 2022 to 2023: Climate Change & Resilience Projects Officer, Historic Environment Scotland
- 2021 to 2022: Technical Marketing Geoscientist, Rocktype Ltd
- 2021 to 2021: Geoscience Consultant, Heriot-Watt University
- 2017 to 2021: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Heriot-Watt University
- 2013 to 2017: Geoscientist, DONG Energy E&P Ltd
- 2008 to 2012: PhD Geology, Durham University
- 2007 to 2008: Geoscience Technical Assistant, Neftex Petroleum Consultants Ltd
- 2003 to 2007: MGeol Hons Geology, University of Leicester
Research interests
- Subsurface characterisation
- Radioactive waste disposal
- Natural hydrogen
- CO2 mineralisation in igneous rocks
Reports
- Wright, K A, Lacinska, A M, Unwin, H E, Shaw, R A, Armitage, T, Marriott, A L, Goodenough, K M, Vosper, M, Mackie, J, Zhang, Q. 2025. Review of the UK’s geological potential for the generation and accumulation of natural hydrogen. British Geological Survey Open Report, OR/25/015, 63 pp.
- Wright, K A, Stephens, T, Unwin, H E, Pawson, J, Cooper, M, Raine, R, Goodenough, K M. Chapter 2: Geological potential of the UK. In: Lacinska, A.M. et al. 2024. The UK’s geological feasibility for onshore in-situ CO2 DESNZ CS-N0W Report, March 2024, 129 pp.
- Numerous confidential reports and technical memos produced for NWS that are likely to be made public in due course
Papers
- Abel, L E, Williams, J D O, Wright, K A, Randles, T A, Bridger, P, Morris, H A, Dodd, T, Plenderleith, G, and White, J C. 2025. Structural controls on pressure communication across the Bunter Sandstone Formation, UK Southern North Sea. GeoEnergy.
- Walker, T J, Healy, D, Kawanzaruwa, T M, and Wright, K A, and England, R W. 2017. Igneous sills as a record of horizontal shortening: The San Rafael subvolcanic field, Utah. GSA Bulletin, 129 (9–10), 1052–1070.
- Wright, K A, Nice, R, Tazzi, M, Purnell, K, and Penasse, V. 2017. Spectral decomposition: an aid in characterizing field architectures of the Laggan and Tormore fields, Faroe–Shetland Basin. Petroleum Geology Conference Series 8, 525–535.
- Watton, T J, Wright, K A, Jerram, D A, and Brown, R J. 2014. The petrophysical and petrographical properties of hyaloclastite deposits: Implications for petroleum exploration. AAPG Bulletin, 98 (3), 449–463.
- Wright, K A, Davies, R J, Jerram, D A, Morris, J, and Fletcher, R. 2012. Application of seismic and sequence stratigraphic concepts to a lava‐fed delta system in the Faroe‐Shetland Basin, UK and Faroes. Basin Research, 24 (1), 91–106.
- Seismic interpretation
- Geophysical log analysis
- Core logging
- Geological mapping
- Basin analysis
- Deep water systems
- Igneous systems
- Science communication
- Fellow of the Geological Society of London, 2014 – present
- R H Worth Award, 2022
- GESGB Geoscience Outreach Award, 2024