Russell is a near-surface geophysicist who possesses experience in many geophysical methods, with a primary focus on geoelectrical monitoring. Russell work has enabled him to work widely both in the UK and across the world, applying his skillset to a broad range of applications β 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, 51ΑΤΖζ
- 2018 to present: PhD Applied Geophysics, University of Liege
- 2015 to 2023: Applied Geophysicist, 51ΑΤΖζ
- 2014 to 2015: Technician, 51ΑΤΖζ
- 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. . Mine Closure 2024: Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Mine Closure, Perth, Australia, 26β28 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. . 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. . NSG2023 29th European Meeting of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics, Edinburgh, UK, 3β7 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. . The Leading Edge, 41(11), pp. 768β776.
- Zarate, E, Hobley, D, MacDonald, A, Swift, R, Chambers, J, Kashaigili, J, Mutayoba, E, Taylor, R, and Cuthbert, M O. 2021. . 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. . 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. . Construction and Building Materials, 170, pp. 668β678.
- Bergamo, P, Dashwood, B, Uhlemann, S, Swift, R, Chambers, J, Gunn, D, and Donohue, S. 2016. . 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
- – Development and testing of novel, environmentally benign solvents for the extraction of metal resources in mine tailings in the Philippines.
- – Monitoring and comparison of Conservation Agriculture techniques against conventional techniques in southeast Africa.
Awards
- 2025 – British Geotechnical Association Medal for best paper
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)