Romesh Palamakumbura

Romesh Palamakumbura talks about geology as a lifestyle and how friendships forged during fieldwork trips are friendships for life.

My time at University

I have always been interested in the significant processes that have shaped our planet, particularly applying chemistry, physics, biology, and maths to understand natural systems. Studying earth science was an excellent opportunity to understand a broad range of sciences in a natural outdoor laboratory. The degree programme at Edinburgh provided an excellent grounding in fundamental geology and allowed me to undertake lots of fieldwork in the Scottish Highlands and abroad. Also, when visiting the department, the staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming.

One of the best things about the degree was the interaction between theoretical and practical work. The structure of the degree meant that you would learn the fundamental theory in lectures, develop that understanding in the laboratory and then finally understand these processes in a broader context in the field. The friendships you grow in your degree, particularly during fieldwork, will last well beyond your degree. I am often bumping into people I studied with in my current career.

Edinburgh was an incredible place to study, with a vibrant city, local hills nearby and easy access to the Scottish Highlands, allowing for an excellent work-life balance. The people I met during my undergraduate at Edinburgh, whether during my degree or extracurricular activities such as the cycling club, made my experience so enjoyable and memorable.

My experiences since leaving University

After my degree at Edinburgh, I went on to do a PhD looking at tectonic controls of mountain building in Cyprus and then a post-doc on the geochemistry of volcanic arc sediments in New Zealand. I am currently working as a geologist for the British Geological Survey, where I work on a wide variety of projects from geotechnical properties of post-glacial marine sediments in Scotland to fracture networks and their impacts on groundwater permeability in India.

Alumni wisdom

The advice I was given during my PhD, which was at an early stage in my training and career, was to think about what makes you a unique geologist and tailor your training and experience towards this, whether it is the modules you take at undergraduate, a specific taught masters or work experience during summer holidays.

Studying geology is more than just a career choice. It’s a lifestyle. No matter what direction you take in your career, you’re sure to meet some fascinating people, find yourself in some spectacular settings from remote fieldwork areas to meetings and conferences around the word, and the work is always challenging and exciting.