The University of Aberdeen is delighted to announce the appointment of Nigel Platt as Honorary Professor within the School of Geosciences.
Contributing to the University’s Centre for Energy Transition, Nigel brings a wealth of experience to the role, having spent five years as a lecturer at the University of Berne in Switzerland, followed by 33 years in industry before joining the University of Aberdeen as a Research Fellow in 2024.
Nigel’s lifelong passion for geology was inspired at age 11 by the BBC2 documentary The Restless Earth and he continued a wide range of research while working in industry.
Speaking about the appointment, he said: “The city of Aberdeen has been a welcoming second home to me throughout my career and I am thrilled and excited to be based in the University’s Centre for Energy Transition, researching how to power the world sustainably.
“I’m keen to support University Director Professor John Underhill in his fantastic work bridging the gaps between science, industry and society.”
In his new role, Nigel will focus on advancing research in sustainable energy solutions, supporting PhD students and continuing his work on offshore wind and carbon capture in the North Sea.
He is also exploring continental and coastal freshwater systems, highlighting the need for greater scientific attention to wetlands.
Commenting on the broader challenges ahead, Professor Platt added: “As discussions on energy and climate risk become politicised, it’s even more important to keep science at the forefront of decisions. Clear, objective and positive science communication has never been more important than it is today.”