Summary
I鈥檓 a rock physicist with a passion for unravelling the mechanics of brittle deformation in Earth鈥檚 crust and beyond. I鈥檝e built my career at the intersection of fundamental science and real-world challenges – from mitigating geohazards to enabling carbon storage, geothermal energy, and sustainable subsurface usage – bridging the gap between laboratory experiments, multi-scale modelling, and field applications to help everyone navigate the complexities of subsurface systems under stress. I lead the Engineering Geology Laboratories in a team delivering innovation and research that contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Beyond the lab, I鈥檓 deeply committed to collaboration and outreach, shaping community-wide practices (like FAIR data practices and Transnational Access to research facilities) and fostering partnerships that turn scientific insights into actionable solutions. I’m driven by the translation of scientific insights into actionable solutions for responsible and resilient interactions with the Earth鈥檚 subsurface.
Audrey Ougier-Simonin’s Biography
Employment:
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- 2015 to present: Rock Physicist, British Geological Survey, UK
- 2013 to 2014: Postdoctoral researcher, ISTerre, Universit茅 Joseph Fourier – Grenoble Alpes, France
- 2011 to 2013: Postdoctoral associate researcher, Dpt of Geology, University of Maryland – College Park, USA
Education:
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- 2007 to 2010: Ph.D. in Geophysics, Universit茅 Denis Diderot – ENS Paris, France
Mechanical and transport properties of cracked glasses - 2005 to 2007: M.Sc. in Earth, Planetary and Environmental Sciences, Universit茅 Denis Diderot, Paris, France
- 2001 to 2005: B.Sc. in Geology, Universit茅 Joseph Fourier – Grenoble Alpes, France
- 2007 to 2010: Ph.D. in Geophysics, Universit茅 Denis Diderot – ENS Paris, France
Current projects and collaborations
- Project: – A Geological Service for Europe
- Project: – Carbon neutral clusters by electricity-based innovations in Capture, Utilisation and Storage
- Project: – Storage Research Infrastructure Eco-System
- Project: PhD supervision Jinci Chen (co-hosted with Heriot-Watt University) – From geo-resources to energy storage: how do underground lithologies respond to thermo-mechanical coupling?
- Project: PhD supervision Amanda Norman (University of Leeds) – Thermal loading on mudstones
- Project: PhD supervision Bob Bamberg (University of Leicester) – The physical and mechanical properties of natural fault zones in basaltic rocks
- Collaboration: – The World鈥檚 largest CCUS Research Infrastructure
- Collaboration: – EPOS Multi-Scale Labs data catalogue
ORCID:
Key papers
- Ougier-Simonin, A, Tucker, O, Bump, A, Gasda, S E, Otterlei, R E, Lemgruber-Traby, A, Mackay, E, Ricard, L P, Herrmann, F, and Imhof, M. 2026. . International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, Vol. 151.
- Bamberg B, Reichow M K, Walker R J, and Ougier鈥怱imonin A. 2023. . Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, Vol. 24(12)
- Vannucchi P, Clarke A, de Montserrat A, Ougier-Simonin A, Aldega L, and Morgan J P. 2022. . Nature Communications, Vol. 13(1)
- Forbes Inskip, N, and Ougier-Simonin, A. 2022.. Zenodo
- Elger K, ter Maat G, Caldeira R, Cimarelli C, Corbi F, Dominguez S, Drury M, Funiciello F, Lange O, Ougier-Simonin A, and Rosenau M. 2022. . Annals of Geophysics, 65(3)
- Martin-Clave, C, Ougier-Simonin, A, and Vandeginste, V. 2021. . Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, Vol. 54(10), 5245鈥5267
- Pluymakers, A, Ougier-Simonin, A, and Barnhoorn, A. 2021. .听Geomechanics for Energy and the Environment,听26, p.100233
- Experimental geophysics specialist
- Fracture and fault mechanics
- Petrophysical and transport property analysis
- Multiscale modelling and interpretation
- Leadership in laboratory operations
- Multidisciplinary collaboration
- FAIR data
- Research infrastructure management
- Project management and leadership
- People management and leadership
- English (fluent), French (fluent), Spanish (intermediate)
- EAGE, EGU
- EGU YSOPP 2010 Award