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The University of Nottingham and the British Geological Survey (BGS) have joined forces to develop a new Centre for Environmental Geochemistry (CEG).
The CEG will focus on geochemistry in research, training and teaching around reconstructing past environmental and climate change, and biogeochemical nutrient and pollutant cycling in soils for agriculture development and food security.
There are also ambitions to develop the use of geochemical tools for research into the sub-surface with questions related to how fluids move through rocks and change their geochemistry, which is particularly associated with water resource protection, shale gas extraction and radioactive waste.
The new centre, opening on 1 April 2014, will combine the strengths of the BGS and the University and will be run by the newly appointed Director — Professor Melanie Leng.
The CEG is one of numerous projects which the University will be collaborating on with the BGS, thanks to the recent signing of a new agreement which will mean new research and training developments will be carried out between the two organisations.
An advisory board has been put together to oversee the developments which will deepen the current relationship between the University and the BGS, enabling the two organisations to build on current collaborations and press forward with world-changing new research in the future.
BGS and the University have been collaborating for several years, and in 2010 co-established the Nottingham Centre for Carbon Capture and Storage which comprises over 40 researchers, academics and PhD students from the University and the BGS, who undertake research in all areas of carbon capture.
The two organisations have also recently joined forces to co-create and co-deliver a new undergraduate course commencing in October 2014, training the next generation of environmental scientists.
Professor Saul Tendler, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at The University of Nottingham said “I am really delighted to see this key collaboration go from strength to strength, building on our collaboration on carbon capture and storage. The new Centre takes advantage of excellent research at both the University and BGS; it will tackle major contemporary issues such as water protection and shale gas extraction. Through our new strategic partnership we very much hope to develop further collaborations to enhance the links between BGS and the University.”
John Ludden, Executive Director at the BGS said “I’m very pleased to see this important initiative with The University of Nottingham. It underlines a longer term development of geoscience research and teaching and the development of a strong relationship with The University on the BGS Keyworth Campus”
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More information is available from Charlotte Anscombe, in theCommunications Office at The University of Nottingham, on +44 (0)115 7484 417, charlotte.anscombe@nottingham.ac.uk; or Sarah Nice, in the Press Office at The British Geological Survey, on +44 (0) 115 936 3605, or sebr@bgs.ac.uk r, in the Press Office at The British Geological Survey, on , or
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Notes to editors: The University of Nottinghamhas 42,000 students and is ‘the nearest Britain has to a truly global university, with campuses in China and Malaysia modelled on a headquarters that is among the most attractive in Britain’ (Times Good University Guide 2014). It is also the most popular university in the UK among graduate employers, one of the world’s greenest universities, and winner of the Times Higher Education Award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Development’. It is ranked in the World’s Top 75 universities by the QS World University Rankings.has 42,000 students and is ‘the nearest Britain has to a truly global university, with campuses in and modelled on a headquarters that is among the most attractive in Britain’. It is also the most popular university in the UK among , one of the , and winner of the for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Development’. It is ranked in the World’s Top 75 universities by the QS World University Rankings.
More than 90 per cent of research at The University of Nottingham is of international quality, according to the most recent Research Assessment Exercise. The University aims to be recognised around the world for its signature contributions, especially in global food security, energy & sustainability, and health. The University won a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education for its research into global food security. for Higher and Further Education for its research into global food security.
Impact: The Nottingham Campaign, its biggest ever fundraising campaign, will deliver the University’s vision to change lives, tackle global issues and shape the future. More news…, its biggest ever fundraising campaign, will deliver the University’s vision to change lives, tackle global issues and shape the future.
The British Geological Survey
The British Geological Survey (BGS), a component body of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), is the nation’s principal supplier of objective, impartial and up-to-date geological expertise and information for decision making for governmental, commercial and individual users. The BGS maintains and develops the nation’s understanding of its geology to improve policy making, enhance national wealth and reduce risk. It also collaborates with the national and international scientific community in carrying out research in strategic areas, including energy and natural resources, our vulnerability to environmental change and hazards, and our general knowledge of the Earth system. More about the BGS can be found at www.bgs.ac.uk.