Geophysics for Sustainable Futures: Unlocking Opportunities in Africa and the Middle East
SEG 2024 Middle East and Africa Honorary Lecture
Format: Virtual Webinar. 45 min. presentation followed by 15 min. Q&A
An optional post-lecture workshop will immediately follow each lecture for expanded Q&A and networking
Session 1, Friday, Nov 15, 2024, 2 pm to 3 pm Ghana Time Register Here
Session 2, Friday, Dec 21, 2024, 6 am to 7 am Ghana Time Register Here
SEG Members Free Access Details
Abstract
This lecture explores the critical role of geophysics in advancing sustainable development across Africa and the Middle East, regions facing unique environmental and historical challenges. As global sustainability goals increasingly prioritize the management of natural resources and the preservation of cultural heritage, geophysics emerges as a vital tool in these efforts. The presentation will focus on two case studies: the first highlights the application of geophysical methods in groundwater exploration, addressing water scarcity and sustainable resource management; the second delves into archaeological geophysics, uncovering and preserving sites connected to the history of slavery and other significant, yet under-researched, historical narratives. These case studies demonstrate the potential of geophysics not only in tackling pressing environmental issues but also in contributing to the understanding and preservation of cultural history. Moreover, the lecture will underscore the growing opportunities for young geophysicists in Africa and the Middle East, encouraging them to engage with these challenges and contribute to regional development. My intention in this lecture is to bridge sustainability with geophysics and thereby inspire the next generation of geophysicists to leverage their expertise in fostering sustainable futures in these dynamic regions.
Your Instructor
Cyril Dziedzorm Boateng is a lecturer and researcher in the Department of Physics at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana. With a BSc in Engineering and MSc in Geophysics from KNUST and a PhD in Solid Earth Physics from the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, his postdoctoral work was conducted at the China University of Petroleum (East China). Cyril focuses on the application of machine learning in geophysics and leveraging geophysical methods to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This research interests have covered rapid groundwater exploration methods, geophysical investigations in the archeology of slavery, protecting communities by understanding coastal hazards and hydrocarbon exploration. Cyril’s research has attracted funding from organizations such as the SEG Foundation, IDRC, Office of Naval Research-Global, UNESCO-TWAS, and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. He has been a member of SEG since 2010 starting as a student member and in 2014, spearheaded the 2nd African Geosciences Students Conference in Ghana. Currently, he serves as a Special Advisor to the SEG Council and has contributed to the EPIC Committee. He has recently led the KNUST SEG Geophysics Field Camps in Ghana, supported by the SEG Foundation.