Richard Robertson

Richard E. A. Robertson is a Professor of Geology and past Director of the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre. He studied Geology and Volcanology at Mona Campus of The UWI in Jamaica and Leeds University the United Kingdom.
Early life and education.
Robertson was born in Saint Vincent. He became interested in volcanology after waking up to the La Soufrière eruption on 1979. He studied geology at the University of the West Indies and graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1987. After graduating he was appointed Head of the Soufriere Monitoring Unit in St. Vincent. He moved to the United Kingdom for his graduate studies, and earned a master's degree in volcanology at Leeds. Robertson moved back to The UWI for his doctoral degree and completed a PhD in geology at the University of the West Indies in 2003. For his doctoral studies he worked on the volcanic geology of pre-Soufriere rocks in St. Vincent. He was part of the team who were first on the ground monitoring the Soufriere Hills Volcano. In 1995 he published a paper based on his Master's research that was the first risk assessment of La Soufriere volcano.
Research and career.
In 1996 Robertson was made the Chief Scientist of the Montserrat Volcano Observatory. He was appointed Director of the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre in 2008 and apart from a brief two year break from 2011-2013, he has held this position ever since. In this capacity he has secured grants from the United States Agency for International Development and Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, as well as the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. He looks to develop a more robust monitoring network and enhance and diversity the education and outreach provided by the centre. In 2007 Robertson travelled to the University of Bristol supported by the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851. Here he worked on geothermal fluid analysis using atomic absorption spectroscopy and ion chromatography. The Montserrat Volcano Observatory has been manage by Seismic Research Centre since 2008. He was promoted to Professor at the University of the West Indies in May 2017. Here has developed the volcanic hazard atlas of the Caribbean. He is part of the STREVA and VOILA program with Jenni Barclay. In 2018 he launched "Volcano Ready", a project which looks to help communities manage the impacts of the La Soufriere volcano of St. Vincent.
Robertson joined the crew aboard EV Nautilus in 2014. He took part in the "Kick 'em Jenny Submarine Volcano" Project, which was captained by expedition leader Katy Croff Bell. He has recently voiced his concern over whether Trinidad and Tobago is prepared for a strong earthquake.
Robertson has served as a consultant for UNESCO, the Organization of American States and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. He is a member of the Trinidad and Tobago Environmental Commission. He was awarded the Anthony N Sabga Caribbean Awards for Excellence for science and technology in 2014.