2024 Jim Ansell Geophysics Scholarship winner:
Ellen Unland
Ellen’s PhD research focuses on characterising past and present depositional environments within Fiordland's fjords to better understand their role as sediment (and carbon) traps. A key aspect of her work is a detailed analysis of fjord and basin geometry suing seismic data. By constraining these geometries, Ellen aims to provide accurate basin capacity estimates, which are critical for understanding the carbon storage potential of the fjords. Additionally, by analysing fjord geomorphometry, key sedimentary features like sills, deltas and fans can be identified, which helps to understand the fjords’ history. Industry standard seismic techniques are being used to accurate velocity models, covering small-scale sedimentary sequences within some of the thickest fjord sediment basins – and further enhancing the understanding of sediment deposition and carbon burial processes by providing an accurate time-to-depth model.
Past Jim Ansell Geophysics Scholarship winners
| Year | Person | University |
| 2023 | Codee-Leigh Williams | Victoria |
| 2022 | Andrea Perez-Silva | Otago |
| 2021 | El Mestel | Victoria |
| 2020 | Bryant Chow | Victoria |
| 2019 | Tayla Hill | Otago |
| 2018 | Shreya Kanakiya | Auckland |
| 2017 | Clarrie Macklin | Victoria |
| 2016 | Hubert Zal | Victoria |
| 2015 | Steven Sewell | Victoria |
| 2014 | Calum Chamberlain | Victoria |
| 2013 | Rachel Heckels | Victoria |
| 2011 | Carolin Boese | Victoria |
| 2010 | Zara Rawlinson | Victoria |
| 2009 | Jessica Johnson | Victoria |
| 2008 | Daniel Bassett | Victoria |
| 2007 | Gareth Crutchley | Otago |
| 2006 | Katherine Bodger | Canterbury |
| 2005 | Stacey Dravitski | Victoria |
| 2004 | Frank Drost | Victoria |
| 2003 | ||
| 2002 | Jennifer Eccles | Auckland |
| 2001 | Wanda Stratford | Victoria |
| 2000 | Anna Pulford | Victoria |
| 1999 | Niels Bormann | Victoria |
| 1998 | Darryn Wise | Auckland |
| 1997 | Stefan Kleffmann | Victoria |
| 1996 | Andrew Cavill | Victoria |
| 1995 | Vaughan Stagpoole | Victoria |
Jim Ansell
Hailing from Hawkes Bay Jim studied Maths at Victoria University of Wellington before travelling to Cambridge, England to complete his PhD in applied Mathematics. It was there, not in shaky New Zealand, that it was suggested he study seismology. He is quoted in the VUW News in 1993 saying: "It's a bit ironic that I was born in Napier and went to university in Wellington, yet the impetus for me to get involved in earthquake research came from the people at Cambridge - they suggested it as an appropriate subject for my PhD thesis".
Upon his return to Victoria University of Wellington, Jim lectured in mathematics. He also became part of the Institute of Geophysics and helped to establish the NZ Geophysics Society. He was appointed Professor of Geophysics in 1989, and until late 1992 was Chair of the Research School of Earth Sciences.
The Jim Ansell Geophysics Scholarship was founded by major grants from the Ansell family, IASPEI94 conference, Research School of Earth Sciences at Victoria University of Wellington, and GNS. Significant individual contributions were received from members of the New Zealand Geophysical Society and academic colleagues and friends of Jim Ansell.
Thank you to the NZ Mathematical Society for providing biographical information on Jim.
