Digging Deeper: Dr Mark Cooper on Advancing Geoscience

In this interview, we speak with Dr Mark Cooper, the Chief Geologist at the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland (GSNI).  

With a career spanning across industry, applied research and teaching, Dr Cooper has played a key role in advancing geological understanding across Northern Ireland and driving the energy transition.  

He is currently working with Prof Dave Healy, Director of Geosolutions Leeds, and Dr Craig Magee on a project funded by Nuclear Waste Services, investigating how faults and dykes influence fluid flow in the Triassic Sherwood Sandstone Group. 

Dr Cooper recently visited the School of Earth and Environment and delivered a talk titled “From national- to outcrop-scale mapping of Palaeogene dykes and faults: implications for fluid flow in the Triassic Sherwood Sandstone Group.”

In this interview, we discuss his career journey, his collaboration with Geosolutions Leeds, the challenges and progress in developing geothermal energy in Northern Ireland, and much more.  

Could you please provide some background on your work?

I joined the Geological Survey Northern Ireland around three decades ago and I'm currently the Chief Geologist there. I began my career with the British Geological Survey as a mapping geologist, a role I held for approximately 15 to 20 years. 

Over time, my interest shifted to conducting research that supports the acquisition of baseline geological data sets and helping derisk developments or initiatives involving the subsurface. My research portfolio encompasses areas closely aligned with Geosolutions’ mission, including critical raw materials, geothermal energy, carbon capture and storage, and other initiatives aimed at enhancing our understanding of the subsurface. 

What inspired you to go into teaching and research?

I see it as a natural career progression. Early in my career, I focused on developing a deep understanding of Northern Ireland's geology, which naturally helped me progress more quickly with my work.  

Over time, I also came to realise that Northern Ireland offered significant, untapped potential for geological research. Research in geology was perhaps 30 to 40 years behind that of the rest of the UK. That gap created an opportunity for impactful research. 

A significant turning point for me was the acquisition of a national geological survey known as the TELLUS project. It combined airborne geophysics with ground-based geochemistry to generate high-resolution, national-scale datasets. This dramatically improved our ability to understand and interpret the subsurface.  It opened the door to collaborations and further exploration—and marked the beginning of my shift toward research-led work. 

Can you tell me more about your Adjunct Professorship in the School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin?

While I wasn’t formally an adjunct professor, the position was awarded in recognition of the work I’ve been doing about critical raw materials. Specifically, I’ve been involved in a major project called Critical Ireland, led by Dr. Mike Stock and funded by the Irish Research Council. The project is examining the development of platinum group elements in various Paleogene-age rocks present across Northern Ireland and the north of Ireland. 

As part of this work, I’m currently co-supervising two PhD students who are now in their third year and progressing very well. There’s also an MSc by Research student in their second year, as well as postdoctoral researchers—at least two of whom have come through the project during my involvement. 

Why do you think it’s important to teach the next generation of engineers and scientists to apply geology to geothermal, groundwater and subsurface energy storage?

I think that’s fundamental. It's about equipping the next generation of geoscientists with the knowledge and tools they need to address some of the most pressing challenges we face. We have the responsibility to pass on our knowledge and understanding so that they don’t have to start from scratch or repeat the same mistakes we’ve made in the past.  

Instead, we can provide them with a strong foundation to build upon and address the challenges arising from geothermal, groundwater, and critical raw minerals, which will enable them to drive innovation.  

Could you please provide more information about your recent partnership with Prof Dave Healy and Dr Craig McGee?

A couple of years ago, I gave a presentation at the Geothermal Symposium in London, where I first met Prof. Dave Healy and Dr Craig McGee. Following that, Dave approached me to learn more about the relationship between bolts, faults, dykes, and Triassic rocks in Northern Ireland. 

We kicked things off with a field trip. I took them to Belfast Lough to show them the rocks with their various structures and intrusions. It quickly became clear that Northern Ireland has onshore analogues and exposed rock formations, which can help us understand how rocks or reservoirs would behave in the subsurface.  

That initial interest led to a proposal, primarily driven by Dave and Craig, which ultimately secured a one-year postdoctoral position funded through Nuclear Waste Services.  

The project aims to gather information that could inform potential risks or difficulties that might be encountered with a subsurface repository for storage. We strive to understand the impact of faults or dikes within the volume of interest, such as the Mercia Mudstone Group. For example, could they act as potential pathways for heat or even radioactivity to move out of the repository into areas where it could cause problems? 

To answer these questions, we’re using a range of resources, such as certain analogues, Northern Ireland’s salt mine, and the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland’s core store. This makes for a rich dataset that can be put to practical use. 

 Overall, I see this as a vital and timely collaboration. As a nation, we face the responsibility of disposing of a significant volume of radioactive waste. This needs to be done responsibly and in a manner that protects future generations. 

What challenges have you faced generating funding for the GSNI geothermal projects? What advice do you have for getting financing for geothermal projects?

Geothermal energy has gained significant attention in the past decade. Over that time, there has been a concerted effort, particularly from leadership, to raise awareness about geothermal energy and its potential to support the energy transition and decarbonisation goals.  

We have focused on educating and engaging with potential funding bodies, including the Northern Ireland government, to understand the potential of geothermal energy. We've held webinars and symposiums and invested time in learning from other countries where geothermal uptake is much further along than in the UK. 

Thanks in part to the efforts of our director, Marie Cowan, the Department for the Economy has recently published a new energy strategy that includes geothermal energy as part of the portfolio of energy solutions aimed at helping us meet net zero.  

Following that policy shift, the Department for the Economy committed significant funding to a geothermal demonstrator programme called GeoEnergy NI. The programme is delivering two geothermal demonstrator projects: one shallow and one deep.  

However, perhaps the most impactful aspect of the project has been its outreach and education component. A portion of the funding has been allocated toward creating a mobile exhibition unit that disseminates knowledge about geothermal energy. It travels across all counties of Northern Ireland, visiting schools, city centres, community events, and agricultural shows. It’s equipped with interactive displays, visualisations, and engaging content to help people understand what geothermal is and why it matters. 

When primary and secondary school students learn about geothermal energy as part of their understanding of the future, it becomes part of how they perceive the world. That way, we could influence the next generation of decision-makers and engineers. 

Another important step we took towards securing funding for geothermal was engaging with social scientists. We collaborated with Queen’s University Belfast on a project that focused specifically on the social dimensions of geothermal energy. That work resulted in a couple of published reports, which I believe are available on the GeoEnergy NI website. 

The project involved engaging a wide range of stakeholders, including members of the public, to understand perceptions, concerns, and the overall level of awareness. Essentially, we were trying to assess the social landscape and determine whether geothermal would be broadly accepted. 

Overall, we found that people are very open to the idea. In most cases, any concerns people had were resolved once they learned more about what geothermal energy involves. Ensuring that communities understand, support, and trust the technology is essential for long-term success, and that’s something we’ve been very intentional about from the beginning. 

What kind of skill set do you think we need to drive forward the energy transition?

The Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland has a clear strategy aimed at achieving Net Zero, and it’s something we’re all contributing to in different ways. 

On the technical side, we have geoscientists working to understand the subsurface and help de-risk initiatives like geothermal energy, carbon capture and storage, and sustainable groundwater management. But technical expertise alone isn’t enough. 

We also need strong governance and leadership, people who can coordinate efforts across organisations and ensure that the right priorities are being pursued. Especially in a context where resources are limited, leadership becomes essential. We can't do everything, so decisions need to be strategic and well-informed. 

And finally, communication is essential. We can all excel in our areas, but if we’re not sharing our work, learning from others, or enabling others to learn from us, then the impact is limited. Clear communication with stakeholders, including funding bodies, policymakers, and the general public, enhances the transparency and effectiveness of our work.