“An outstanding, early career British Geophysicist”

About the Bullerwell

This lecture, to be given by ‘An outstanding early career geoscientist’ has been presented each year since 1981 and is one of the principal events in the British Geophysical Association calendar. The Bullerwell lecture, named after the first Chief Geophysicist of the British Geological Survey, is a prestigious event that has been given by many of those UK geophysicists (see below) who are major international Earth Scientists, receiving honours from a wide range of learned societies, academic and governmental institutions.

The Lecturer will be given a budget (£2000) to present the Bullerwell lecture at their choice of UK Universities. Some of the budget (at the discretion of the BGA committee) can be used to present the talk ‘overseas’ (i.e., in non-UK countries). However, the BGA expect that the main focus of the ‘lecture tour‘ is at UK institutions. The lecture will also be presented at the annual BGA Post-Graduate Research in Progress (PGRiP) meeting held around mid-September.

The Bullerwell Lectureship is awarded to an outstanding early-career geoscientist in recognition of their contribution to geophysics in the UK. The Bullerwell Lecturer must be within 10 years of gaining their PhDs (the committee will account for time taken on maternity or paternity leave, career breaks due to illness or special circumstances).

2026 Bullerwell lecture

Dr Ualisson Donardelli Bellon is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Mineral Magnetism at the School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh. His research investigates magnetic phenomena at the nanoscale to better understand the stability and evolution of planetary magnetic fields, combining micromagnetic modelling with advanced imaging and chemical analyses, including synchrotron-based techniques.

Dr Bellon holds a PhD in Geophysics (University of São Paulo, 2024), an MSc in Geophysics (University of São Paulo, 2021), and a BSc in Geology (Federal University of Espírito Santo, 2018). His doctoral research focused on studying vortex-state magnetic minerals in carbonate rocks through magnetic mineralogy, synchrotron imaging, and numerical modelling. His academic background spans experimental and computational approaches to mineral magnetism, with applications in palaeomagnetism and planetary evolution.

Dr. Bellon has also won a prize for the Best Geosciences Thesis in Brazil in 2025. He has published in leading journals such as Geophysical Research Letters, Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, Communications Earth & Environment, and Proceedings at National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

The summary of their Bullerwell lecture can be read here, and the title is:

  “From microscopic minerals to planetary magnetic fields“

As part of the award, The British Geophysical Association has funds to cover the associated expenses for a number of these lectures.
If you would like the Bullerwell Lecture to be given at your institution, please contact Ualisson directly, cc the BGA President.

Past winners:

2025 Ebmeier, S. – Satellite monitoring of volcanic unrest and eruption [view abstract here]

2024 Giannakis, I. – Exploring the far side of the Moon using Ground-Penetrating Radar [view abstract here]

2023 Mildon, Z. – Variability of earthquakes, faults, and the resulting seismic hazard [view abstract here]

2022 Craig, T. – Seismicity and the deformation of subducting slabs [view abstract here]

2021 Nagy, L. – Beyond single grains and single domains – using big data to answerfundamental questions in rock magnetism [view abstract here]

2020 Bell, R. – Bringing slow slip processes into focus [view abstract here]

2019 Cottaar, S. – Zooming in on the core-mantle boundary [view abstract here]

2018 Mitchell, T. – Earthquake fracture damage and healing: feedback on rupture dynamics [view abstract here]

2017 Biggs, J. – Magma storage and ascent [view abstract here]

2016 Whitehouse, P. – Glacial Isostatic Adjustment – a hot topic in cold regions [view abstract here]

2015 Wright, T. – What can satellite geodesy tell us about fault zone mechanics and seismic hazard in the continents? [view abstract here]

2014 Rychert, C. – Seismic constraints on the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary [view abstract here]

2013 Keir, D. – Magmatism and deformation during continental breakup [view abstract here]

2012 King, M. – Towards accurate observation and modelling of Antarctic glacial isostatic adjustment [view abstract here]

2011 Muxworthy, A. – Magnetic Interactions: Love thy neighbour? [view abstract here]

2010 Dobson, D. – Tectonics of the lower mantle II: mineral physics constraints. [view abstract here]

2009 Rost, S. – Seismic constraints on Earth’s small-scale structure.

2008 Murray, T. – Beneath the ice: geophysical observations at Rutford Ice Stream, West Antarctica.

2007 Milne, G. – Climate driven sea-level change.

2006 Jackson, A. – Understanding the Earth’s magnetic field through observation and theory.

2005 Helffrich, G. – Small-scale seismic heterogeneity and mantle structure.

2004 Ebinger, C. – Continental breakup – impilcations for planetary tectonics.

2003 Kendall, M. – Tectonics of the lowermost mantle.

2002 Sinha, M. – Electromagnetic geophysics and the structure of Mid-Ocean Ridges.

2001 White, N. – Interrogating sedimentary basins.

2000 Jackson, J. – Velocity fields, faulting and continental tectonics: where have we got to?

1999 England, P. – The end of continental kinematics.

1998 Woods, A.W. – Fluid dynamical controls on volcanic eruptions.

1997 Main, I.G. – Statistical physics of earthquakes and faulting.

1996 Meju, M – Geoelectromagnetics, geology and the environment: understanding electrical images of the subsurface.

1995 Warner, M. – Continental lithospheric seismics.

1994 Lovell, M. – The art of borehole geophysics.

1993 Whaler, K. – MAGSAT’s impact on studies of Earth’s internal magnetic field.

1992 White, R.S. – Melting in the Earth: the alliance of seismology and petrology.

1991 Browitt, C. – Earthquakes.

1990 Haworth, R. – Geophysics in the British Geological Survey – the Bullerwell legacy.

1989 Christie, P.A.K. – Applications of borehole acoustics in geophysical exploration: a review.

1988 Watts, A.B. – Flexure of the oceanic lithosphere.

1987 Kusznir, N.J. – The strength of the continental lithosphere.

1986 Westbrook, G.K. – The structure and dynamics of subduction-accretion complexes – the physical evidence.

1985 Shaw, J. – How strong is the Earth’s magnetic field?

1984 Gubbins, D.A. – Secular variation and reversals of the Earth’s field.

1983 Vail, P.R. – Seismic stratigraphy and the evaluation of depositional sequences and facies.

1982 McKenzie, D.P. – Geoid anomalies and mantle convection.

1981 Douglas, A. – Two problems in forensic seismology twenty years on.