Staff Profile

Background:

Dr Jean Hall joined the University in the School of Engineering 2006 as a Research Associate working in the field of Electrokinetic Geosynthetics and their use in industrial applications. In 2008 she joined the lecturing staff initially in the Environmental Engineering group and in 2009 moved into Geotechnical and Structures group. Her research interests focus on three main themes; the geotechnical implications of the legacy of coal mining (with particular applications in understanding the presence of CO₂ in the near surface environment); the ability to assess and change the in-situ engineering properties of materials in response to conductivity drivers; the implementation of the use of EKG in cross discipline applications for dewatering and stabilisation of material. Her main area of teaching revolves around the engineering design process, geotechnics, geology and rock engineering for civil engineers and engineering geologists.

Roles and Responsibilities:                     

Degree Programme Director  for all MEng/BEng Civil Engineering programmes

Deputy Degree Programme Director (MSc Engineering Geology / Geotechnical Engineering)

Qualifications:

PhD Engineering Geology (2007) Newcastle University

MSc Engineering Geology (2000) Newcastle University

BSc (Hons) Geoscience (1996) University of St Andrews

Esteem indicators:

Vice Chancellors Distinguished Teachers Award 2012 

Memberships:

Fellow of the Geological Society

British Geotechnical Society

International Association of Engineering Geologists

International Geosynthetics Society

Industrial Experience Overview

After completing an undergraduate degree Dr Hall joined the offshore petroleum industry before leaving after 4yrs as a Wellsite Geologist responsible for the day to day reporting and monitoring of the geological-related operations on an oil installation. After completing the MSc in Engineering Geology, Dr Hall worked for a variety of ground engineering contractors and consultants as an Engineering Geologist conducting ground investigations and interpretive reports on a number of challenging project site. Research was an ambition and therefore she commenced a PhD at Newcastle University in 2002.

Past positions

Research Associate in Geotechnical Engineering, Newcastle University (2006 – 2008)

Engineering Geologist. Fugro Exploration Services  (2005 – 2006)

Engineering Geologist. Exploration Associates Ltd. (became Soil Mechanics Ltd).  (2000 – 2002)

Engineering Geologist. Ian Farmer Associates, Newcastle upon Tyne.  (1999)

Wellsite Geologist. HRH Ltd.  (1998 – 1999)

Mudlogging Engineer. Schlumberger Anadrill. (1996 – 1998)

Current Consultancy

1997 – 2020 Military Geologist (as part of Army Reserve)

Research Interests:

Dr Hall’s research interests focus on three main themes; the geotechnical implications of the legacy of coal mining (with particular applications in understanding the presence of CO₂ in the near surface environment); the ability to assess and change the in-situ engineering properties of materials in response to conductivity drivers; the implementation of the use of EKG in cross discipline applications for dewatering and stabilisation of material. My current research is industry-focussed and collaborates strongly to try and solve the ‘real’ problems experienced by practitioners in the Engineering Geology industry. Her expertise is in field applications of experimental research and concept of proof for industry. Examples of this current research in progress are projects with TerraConsult Ltd (an Environmental consultancy) on CO₂ in the near surface environment, Electrokinetic Ltd (University spin-out company) in the use of EKG in dewatering waste products and Aggregate Industries on Rockfall hazard appraisal systems different projects.

Research Supervision

I am always interested in discussing opportunities for postgraduate study within my group. A list of projects currently on offer can be found at www.ceg.ncl.ac.uk/gest/postgrad/phdprojects.htm, but I am also open to discussing other potential projects. Funding may be secured from a variety of sources, including an annual competition for research council funding.

Esteem Indicators

Northern Geological Group committee member (2007 – present)

Member of the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering Committee on Geo-engineering Education (current)

Keynote speaker at Geo Environmental Workshop: Innovation through collaboration (March 2009)

Invited seminar on EKG at Tsinghua University, China (March 2009)

Invited reviewer of Geological Society CPD courses

Invited by MinSoc and Geological Society to lead respective field trips to Coal Mining operational sites as part of conference visits and bicentennial activities.

Current Funded Projects

Carbon dioxide degassing in coal mine waters, £19,150, Coal Authority, 2011-2012

Characterisation of Carbon Dioxide in the Near Surface Ground Gas Environment, £18,000 TerraConsult Ltd., 2011–2014 (support to a PhD studentship)

Undergraduate

CEG2004 Design of Sustainable Engineering Systems 2

CEG3099/8099 Dissertations (~ 3 students per year)

CEG8005 Global Engineering a Design and Build Challenge

CEG8010 Bridge to Industry

Postgraduate

CEG8202 Ground Investigation design, principles and practice

CEG8213 Rock Engineering

CEG8207 Field Class

CEG8296/7 MSc Dissertation (~6 students per year)

• Articles

  • Smedley PL, Allen G, Baptie BJ, Fraser-Harris AP, Ward RS, Chambers RM, Gilfillan SMV, Hall JA, Hughes AG, Manning DAC, McDermott CI, Nagheli S, Shaw JT, Werner MJ, Worrall F. Equipping for risk: Lessons learnt from the UK shale-gas experience on assessing environmental risks for the future geoenergy use of the deep subsurface. Science of the Total Environment 2024, 921, 171036.
  • Iessa H, Christensen K, Hall JA, Seal CJ. Impacts of operating conditions on efficiency of electrokinetically enhanced filtration for de-watering of orange juice and malt extract. Food Chemistry 2021, 337, 128009.
  • Teasdale CJ, Hall JA, Martin JP, Manning DAC. Discriminating methane sources in ground gas emissions in NW England. Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology 2018, 52(1), 110-122.
  • Iessa H, Christensen K, Hall JA, Seal CJ. Discharged filtrate movement in food materials under application of electrokinetics. Food Chemistry 2018, 247, 1-7.
  • Bridgens B, Powell M, Farmer G, Walsh CL, Reed E, Royapoor M, Gosling P, Hall J, Heidrich O. Creative upcycling: reconnecting people, materials and place through making. Journal of Cleaner Production 2018, 189, 145-154.
  • Teasdale CJ, Hall JA, Martin JP, Manning DAC. Ground Gas Monitoring: Implications for Hydraulic Fracturing and CO₂ Storage. Environmental Science & Technology 2014, 48(23), 13610-13616.
  • Lamont-Black J, Hall JA, Glendinning S, White CP, Jones CJFP. Stabilisation of a railway embankment using electrokinetic geosynthetics. Engineering Geology Special Publication 2012, 26, 125-139.
  • Ng SK, Plunkett A, Stojceska V, Ainsworth P, Lamont-Black J, Hall J, White C, Glendenning S, Russell D. Electro-Kinetic Technology as a Low-Cost Method for Dewatering Food By-Product. Drying Technology 2011, 29(14), 1721-1728.
  • Glendinning S, Lamont-Black J, Jones CJFP, Hall J. Treatment of lagooned sewage sludge in situ using electrokinetic geosynthetics. Geosynthetics International 2008, 15(3), 192-204.

• Conference Proceedings (inc. Abstracts)

  • Bramald T, Heidrich O, Hall JA. Exploring first year undergraduates’ perceptions of conflicting parameters and complexity in civil engineering through three different learning experiences. In: Engineering Education for Sustainable Development (EESD13). 2013, Cambridge, UK.
  • Hall JA, Glendinning S, Younger PL. Is Minewater a source of Hazardous Gas?. In: 10th IAEG international congress. 2006, Nottingham, UK.