Russell is a near-surface geophysicist who possesses experience in many geophysical methods, with a primary focus on geoelectrical monitoring. Russell’s work has enabled him to work widely both in the UK and across the world, applying his skillset to a broad range of applications – these include agriculture, landslides, linear assets (road, rail, dams, flood embankments), mining & mine waste, geothermal energy, landfills, and nuclear waste. His use of geophysical methods commonly revolve around monitoring the movement and storage of fluids in the subsurface, and the resultant events caused by fluid dynamics.
In addition to his ability as a geophysicist, Russell also displays strong skills in project management, stakeholder engagement, and training & student supervision.
Russell Swift’s Biography
- 2023 to present: Engineering and Environmental Geophysicist, British Geological Survey
- 2018 to present: PhD Applied Geophysics, University of Liege
- 2015 to 2023: Applied Geophysicist, British Geological Survey
- 2014 to 2015: Technician, British Geological Survey
- 2009 to 2014: MSci Earth Sciences, University of Manchester
Key papers
- Jenkin, G, Arcilla, C, Abbott, A, Bateson, L, Bautista VII, A, Chambers, J, Devanadera, M, Duddigan, S, Fernando, E, Gervasio, J, Gibaga, C, Lazaro, J,Menor, T, Naden, J, Newsome, L, Pan, Y, Quierrez, R, Quimado, M, Samaniego, J, Selvaraj, V, Smith, D, Swift, R, Symons, J, Tanciongco, A, Tibbett, M, Tungpalan, D, Whelan, M, and Yan, Y. 2024. Recent developments in the science and technology of in situ solvent leaching of tailings for reprocessing, rehabilitation and closure. Mine Closure 2024: Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Mine Closure, Perth, Australia, 26–28 November 2024.
- Watlet, A, Wilkinson, P, Whiteley, J, White, A, Uhlemann, S, Swift, R, Ouellet, S, Minto, C, Meldrum, P, Jones, L, Gunn, D, Godfrey, A, Dashwood, B, Crickmore, R, Clarkson, P, Boyd, J, and Chambers, J. 2024. High-resolution geophysical monitoring of moisture accumulation preceding slope movement—a path to improved early warning. Environmental Research Letters, 19(12), p.124059.
- Swift, R, Boyd, J, Chambers, J, Wilkinson, P, Sandram, I, Magwero, N, Gregory, A, Whalley, R, Meldrum, P, Chimungu, J, and Inauen, C. 2023. Electrical Resistivity Tomography to Measure and Monitor Hydrodynamic Heterogeneities in a Malawian Agricultural Alfisol. NSG2023 29th European Meeting of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics, Edinburgh, UK, 3–7 September 2023.
- Chambers, J, Holmes, J, Whiteley, J, Boyd, J, Meldrum, P, Wilkinson, P, Kuras, O, Swift, R, Harrison, H, Glendinning, S, Stirling, R, Huntley, D, Slater, N, and Donohue, S. 2022. Long-term geoelectrical monitoring of landslides in natural and engineered slopes. The Leading Edge, 41(11), pp. 768–776.
- Zarate, E, Hobley, D, MacDonald, A, Swift, R, Chambers, J, Kashaigili, J, Mutayoba, E, Taylor, R, and Cuthbert, M O. 2021. The role of superficial geology in controlling groundwater recharge in the weathered crystalline basement of semi-arid Tanzania. Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, 36.
- Whiteley, J, Chambers, J, S. Uhlemann, J. Boyd, M. Cimpoiasu, J. Holmes, C. Inauen, A. Watlet, L. Hawley-Sibbett, Sujitapan, C, Swift, R, and Kendall, M. 2020. Landslide monitoring using seismic refraction tomography – The importance of incorporating topographic variations. Engineering Geology, 268.
- Gunn, D, Chambers, J, Dashwood, B, Lacinska, A, Dijkstra, T, Uhlemann, S, Swift, R, Kirkham, M, Milodowski, A,Wragg, J, and Donohue, S. 2018. Deterioration model and condition monitoring of aged railway embankment using non-invasive geophysics. Construction and Building Materials, 170, pp. 668–678.
- Bergamo, P, Dashwood, B, Uhlemann, S, Swift, R, Chambers, J, Gunn, D, and Donohue, S. 2016. Time-lapse monitoring of climate effects on earthworks using surface waves. Geophysics, 81(2), pp.EN1-EN15.
Published outputs
Research interests
- Sustainable agriculture and root water availability
- Mine remediation
- Slope stability and landslides
- Monitoring of linear assets (road, rail, dams, flood embankments)
Current projects and collaborations
- Philippine Remediation of Mine Tailings (PROMT) – Development and testing of novel, environmentally benign solvents for the extraction of metal resources in mine tailings in the Philippines.
- Strengthening Capacity in Environmental Physics, Hydrogeology and Statistics for Conservation Agriculture Research (CEPHaS) – Monitoring and comparison of Conservation Agriculture techniques against conventional techniques in southeast Africa.
Professional associations
- Fellow of the Geological Society of London
- Member of the European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE)
- Member of the British Geotechnical Association (BGA)