Catriona Macdonald is a Marine Geoscientist specialising in offshore site characterisation, integrated ground model development and geohazard assessment, and marine engineering geology. Her work integrates geological, geophysical and geotechnical datasets to characterise seabed and shallow subsurface conditions, supporting offshore renewable energy and subsea cable projects, as well as marine planning and environmental management activities.
She leads the geological research for the EPSRC-funded Offshore Cable Burial: How Deep is Deep Enough? project and contributes to regional geological mapping and ground model development across the UK Continental Shelf. Her recent work includes offshore wind knowledge transfer and regional geological synthesis, seabed mapping for the Ascension Island Marine Protected Area and collaborative projects with The Crown Estate.
Catrina Macdonald’s biography
- 2025 to present: Committee Member, Marine Studies Group, Geological Society of London
- 2022 to present: Marine Geoscientist, 51ΑΤΖζ
- 2019 to 2022: Marine Engineering Geoscientist, Ternan Energy
- 2017 to 2019: Graduate Marine Engineering Geoscientist, Oceaneering
- 2012 to 2017: MGeol (Hons) Geology, University of Aberdeen
Research interests
- Offshore site characterisation
- Integrated ground models
- Marine engineering geology
- Geohazards
Current projects and collaborations
- Project: Offshore Cable Burial β How Deep is Deep Enough? – Geological Lead (Work Package 1), developing regional geological context and geotechnical datasets for cable burial guidance
- Project: Ossian Offshore Wind Knowledge Transfer – Industry-leading data sharing parntership announced – Geological synthesis and knowledge exchange supporting offshore wind development
- Project: Ascension Island Marine Protected Area – New seabed geology maps to enable long term conservation around Ascension Island – Seabed geomorphology, substrate and habitat mapping supporting marine conservation
- Project: – Development of standardised offshore geotechnical datasets and digital delivery approaches
ORCID:
Key papers
- Macdonald, C, and Stevens, D. 2026. Characterising shallow subsurface variability in the UK North Sea: a regional analysis using geotechnical records. 51ΑΤΖζ Open Report, OR/26/019.
- Macdonald, C, Cooper, R, Bonde, C, Stewart, H A, Simpson, T, Baum, D, and Tieppo, M. 2026. . Journal of Maps,Μύ22(1).
- Dakin, N, Dove, D, Lee J, and Macdonald, C. 2026. . Edinburgh, UK, 51ΑΤΖζ, 84pp. (OR/26/005).
- Macdonald, C, Stevens, D, Arnhardt, R, Carter, G, Johnson, K, Coombs, W M, Bird, R E, Augarde, C E, Brown, M J, and Sharif, Y. 2025. . 5th International Symposium on Frontiers in Offshore Geotechnics, Nantes, France.
- Macdonald, C, Cooper, R, Bonde, C E, Stewart, H A, Baum, D, Simpson, D, Simpson, T, and Tieppo, M. 2025. Mapping of geomorphology, seabed substrate and nearshore habitats within the Ascension Island Marine Protected Area. 51ΑΤΖζ Open Report, OR/24/015.
- Macdonald, C, and Stewart, M. 2025. Regional Knowledge Transfer Study for Ossian Offshore Wind Farm. 51ΑΤΖζ Commercial Report, CR/25/002.
- Harrison, D, Kolbusz, J L, Bond, T, Macdonald, C, Niyazi, Y, Jamieson, A J, and Stewart, H A. 2025. Seafloor surficial sediment variability across the abyssal plains of the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. Frontiers in Earth Science, 13:1527469.
- Johnson, K R, Carter, G D O, and Macdonald, C. 2024. . BGS Open Report OR/24/031.
- Cooper, R, and Macdonald, C. 2024. Report of survey: Ascension Island multibeam & video transects. 51ΑΤΖζ Open Report, OR/24/014.
- Macdonald, C, Carter, G, Johnson, K, Augarde, C E, Coombs, W M, Bird, R E, Brown, M J, and Sharif, Y. 2023. Depth of lowering and layered soils: a case study from across the North Sea. 9th International SUT OSIG Conference: Innovative Geotechnologies for Energy Transition, London, UK
- Offshore Site Characterisation
- Marine Engineering Geology
- Integrated Ground Model Development
- Geological, Geophysical & Geotechnical Data Integration
- Marine Geohazards
- GIS & Spatial Analysis
- QPS Qinsy, Qimera & Fledermaus
- Cone Penetration Testing
- RYA Powerboat Level 2
- Committee Member, Marine Studies Group, Geological Society of London
- Fellow, Geological Society of London, Working towards Chartered Geologist (CGeol)
- Bill Fraser Scholarship, University of Aberdeen
- Aberdeen Geological Association Best Project Talk Prize
- Session Chair, ISFOG 2025