Ahead of his upcoming GeoLogica course, 'An Introduction to Geospatial Workflows', Richard Jones is the subject of our latest Q&A.

What is your specialisation? 
I'm a structural geologist, though I've lectured and run workshops in a number of other things such as programming and artificial intelligence, especially natural language processing and also in geospatial technologies as well.

How long have you been teaching?
I've been teaching and consulting in one form or another for the last 30-35 years

Can you recall a favourite memory from the field? 
I've been to several places which have blown my mind over the years, but to give just one I'll say the Zagros mountains in North-Eastern Iraq. Staggeringly beautiful scenery and amazing geology. Because the geology is so young, it's topography- forming. So when you're standing on top of a mountain in Kurdistan you can see all around you the geology and the structural geology, and the structure is forming the topography. So that's very special for a structural geologist and it's very beautiful. I've been there for many, many months over a 10-year period and so many times I've sort of pinched myself and thought, "my God, I'm being paid for this!". What a privilege.

Tell us about your upcoming course with GeoLogica. What is it about and who is it for?
So the next one up is E510 - An Introduction to Geospatial Workflows. This is an introductory course for people who would like an overview of Geo-informatics, for people who want or need to use spatial data, particularly in the context of the Geo energy transition. So it's aimed at both post-grad students soon to go out into the workplace and professional geoscientists who are looking to expand their skill set and learn to use spatial data in spatial workflows.

Tell us a fun fact that most people don't know about you.
I used to be a very keen runner and orienteer - I've run in the World Orienteering Championships and in the World Hill Running Championships.

And...hmm... what would be obscure enough? I've been in the winning team for Jukola & Tiomila - the curious can look into what they are!

What would be your advice to junior geoscientists starting their careers?
Oh that's indulgent - that makes me feel old and important and worldly wise!

H.H. Read said, "The best geologist is the one that's seen the most rocks." And of course if you take that literally, it's not necessarily 100% true, but it conveys a really important message. So "Get up from the computer and go out and see some real rocks" would probably be the best advice I could ever think of. 

Don't let the technology dictate the science. Make sure the technology serves science. That's another tremendously important one.

And what else...? Just be passionate about geology. Geology's super important to society – be proud of the role that geology plays in society. 

Tell us your best (worst) geology joke.
Q: How fast does a fault move? 
A:  A Mylonite!

Richard will be teaching E510 An Introduction to Spatial Workflows from 04 - 06 September.  

For more information about this class, and to reserve a place, click here.

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