The Lyell Centre celebrates 10 years of world-leading earth and marine science research

Founded in 2016, the Lyell Centre has established itself as a globally recognised hub for scientific excellence, bringing together expertise, cutting-edge technology and multidisciplinary research to address some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. Over its first ten years the Centre has delivered internationally recognised research spanning climate change, marine conservation, geoenergy and the sustainable management of natural resources.

To mark this milestone, colleagues and students at the Lyell Centre attended an anniversary celebration and ceilidh. Guest speakers, including Scottish geologist Iain Stewart and HWU’s new principal Prof Nola Hewitt-Dundas, reflected on the centre’s achievements over the past decade while exploring the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

Since opening 10 years ago as a strategic partnership with BGS, the Lyell Centre has built an international reputation for delivering outstanding earth and marine science that help society respond to some of the most significant challenges facing our planet.

Our success has been driven by the excellence of our people and our commitment to translating scientific discovery into real-world impact. As we celebrate this milestone, we are also looking ahead to the next decade of innovation, collaboration and discovery.

Prof Chris Turney, deputy principal of research and innovation at HWU.

Over the last decade, the Lyell Centre has become the Scottish home of BGS. Alongside our colleagues at HWU, it is a site from which our scientists have been able to deliver internationally recognised research. United under the  broad spectrum of earth and marine science, the specialisms are wide ranging, from furthering our understanding of geohazards and investigating how groundwater can help mitigate drought risk, to supporting offshore infrastructure through seabed geology mapping.

Since opening, the Lyell Centre has also welcomed a new generation of scientists and is well positioned to continue delivering pioneering research well into the future.

Vanessa Starcher, Lyell Centre head of station, BGS.

Through close collaboration between academia, government and industry, the Lyell Centre has also played a vital role in strengthening Scotland’s research and innovation landscape while contributing to global efforts to address climate and environmental challenges.

Looking ahead, the Lyell Centre remains committed to pushing the boundaries of earth and marine science, advancing the knowledge needed to tackle climate and environmental challenges, and playing a leading role in developing sustainable solutions for a rapidly changing world.