
The Lyell Centre
The Lyell Centre is an inspired fusion of Earth and marine geosciences and technology, created in partnership with the British Geological Survey.

for Earth and Marine Sciences
One of Europe's leading centres in Earth, marine and ecosystem sciences, the Lyell Centre enhances Scotland's research base and supports its innovation strategy through socially and industrially relevant research.
Fundamental and applied research combines with innovative technology to find solutions to the global challenges facing our planet from the deep sub-surface of the earth to the polar regions.
This exciting strategic collaboration develops and applies evidence-based solutions related to the Earth's surface, sub-surface, oceans and atmosphere. Combining research and innovation sparks transformative ideas beyond traditional boundaries.

How do we do this?
Funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Scottish Funding Council and Heriot-Watt, the Lyell Centre builds on interdisciplinary expertise to encourage an outstanding science culture. Advanced facilities include biogeochemistry, geoenergy, microbiology and marine ecology laboratories, deep sea research and marine operations workshops.
Research themes, directed by global science challenges, include climate, water, life in surface and subsurface environments; energy from the Earth; risk, hazards and uncertainties. These challenges are adapted as the societal, economic and research landscape evolves and new challenges arise.
Read the latest issue of the Lyell Centre newsletter.
Research projects
Read more about projects undertaken by Heriot-Watt and the British Geological Survey across Earth, marine and ecosystem sciences.
The Lyell Centre
Research and innovation across marine, Earth and ecosystem sciences, combine to spark novel ideas, and find solutions, to global challenges.
Early humans made fire
Researchers, including Assistant Professor Dr Clayton Magill, have discovered that early humans in Europe were making and controlling fire at least 50,000 years earlier than previously thought.
Carbon on the move
Dr Ryan Pereira investigates how carbon dioxide and other carbon compounds flow through the ocean and rivers, to help scientists produce more accurate models of climate change impacts.
Transcript
Future Makers
Latest news
Read about our headline-making research and innovation.
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