Contact
| Name | Benjamin Williamson |
| Position | Lead Scientist |
| E-Mail Address | |
| Phone Number | +44 (0) 1847 889686 |
| Job Description | Benjamin leads the ‘Energy’ research theme and chairs UHI Energy Innovation. |
Career
2017–present Lead Scientist, Environmental Research Institute, UHI
2017–2020 Research Fellow, University of Aberdeen
2015–2017 KTP Associate, University of Aberdeen and MeyGen Ltd.
2014–2015 Visiting Researcher, University of Washington
2011–2014 Research Fellow, FLOWBEC-4D project, University of Bath and Aberdeen
2010–2011 Knowledge Transfer Fellow, Project Edison: SMART-DC, University of Bath (link)
2008–2009 Visiting Scientist, Biomimetic propulsor development, University of British Columbia
2008–2011 Field Engineer, AUV/ROV development, sonar surveys, CERF, British Columbia
2007–2010 Teaching Assistant, Sensing, data acquisition, marine robotics, University of Bath |
Qualifications
2017 IET Chartered Engineer (CEng)
2013 PhD Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Bath (link)
2011 Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (MIET)
2007 MSc (Distinction) Mechatronics, University of Bath
2006 BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Bath |
Publications
J. Slingsby, B.E. Scott, L. Kregting, J. McIlvenny, J. Wilson, F. Helleux, B.J. Williamson (2024). An Experimental Methodology for Automated Detection of Surface Turbulence Features in Tidal Stream Environments. Sensors. http://doi.org/10.3390/s24196170
S. Benjamins, B.J. Williamson, S.L. Billing, Z. Yuan, M. Collu, C. Fox, L. Hobbs, E.A. Masden, E.J. Cottier-Cook, B. Wilson (2024). Potential environmental impacts of floating photovoltaic solar panel systems. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2024.114463
J. Chapman, B.J. Williamson, A. Couto, A. Zampollo, I.M. Davies, B.E. Scott (2024). Integrated survey methodologies provide process-driven framework for marine renewable energy environmental impact assessment. Marine Environmental Research. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106532
I. Fairley, N. King, J. McIlvenny, M. Lewis, S. Neill, B.J. Williamson, I. Masters, D.E. Reeve (2024). Intercomparison of surface velocimetry techniques for drone-based marine current characterization. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2024.108682
N. Isaksson, S. Fraser, J.D.R. Houghton, B.J. Williamson, J. Wilson, E.A. Masden (2024). Diet of the European Shag Gulosus aristotelis during the non-breeding season at a roost within a tidal channel. Bird Study. http://doi.org/10.1080/00063657.2024.2311080
J.L. Harris, P. Hosegood, C.B. Embling, B.J. Williamson, G.M.W Stevens (2024). Spatiotemporal variations in reef manta ray (Mobula alfredi) residency at a remote meso-scale habitat and its importance in future spatial planning. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. http://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.4089
L.J. Mitchell, B.J. Williamson, E.A. Masden (2024). Methods for highlighting ecological monitoring needs in data-sparse regions: a case study of impact assessment for multi-component infrastructure installations. Environmental Impact Assessment Review. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2024.107433
N. Isaksson, B.E. Scott, G.L. Hunt, E. Benninghaus, M. Declerck, K. Gormley, C. Harris, S. Sjöstrand, N.I. Trifonova, J.J. Waggitt, J.U. Wihsgott, C. Williams, A. Zampollo, B.J. Williamson (2023). A paradigm for understanding whole ecosystem effects of offshore wind farms in shelf seas. ICES Journal of Marine Science. http://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsad194
J. Slingsby, B.E. Scott, L. Kregting, J. McIlvenny, J. Wilson, B.J. Williamson (2023). A Review of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Usage as an Environmental Survey Tool within Tidal Stream Environments. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. http://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11122298
N. Petzinna, V. Nikora, J. Onoufriou, B.J. Williamson (2023). Evaluating the Performance of a Dual-Frequency Multibeam Echosounder for Small Target Detection. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. http://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11112084
J. Slingsby, B.E. Scott, L. Kregting, J. McIlvenny, J. Wilson, M. Yanez, B.J. Williamson (2023). The bigger picture: developing a graphical user interface to process UAV imagery of tidal stream environments. International Marine Energy Journal. http://doi.org/10.36688/imej.6.11-17
J. McIlvenny, B.J. Williamson, I. Fairley, M. Lewis, S. Neill, I. Masters, D. Reeve (2022). Comparison of dense optical flow and PIV techniques for mapping surface current flow in tidal stream energy sites. International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering. http://doi.org/10.1007/s40095-022-00519-z
I. Fairley, B.J. Williamson, J. McIlvenny, N. King, I. Masters, M. Lewis, S. Neill, D. Glasby, D. Coles, B. Powell, K. Naylor, M. Robinson, D. Reeve (2022). Drone-based large-scale particle image velocimetry applied to tidal stream energy resource assessment. Renewable Energy. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2022.07.030
L. Goddijn-Murphy, B.J. Williamson, J. McIlvenny, P. Corradi (2022). Using a UAV Thermal Infrared Camera for Monitoring Floating Marine Plastic Litter. Remote Sensing. http://doi.org/10.3390/rs14133179
A. Couto, B.J. Williamson, T. Cornulier, P.G. Fernandes, S. Fraser, J.D. Chapman, I.M. Davies, B.E. Scott (2022). Tidal streams, fish, and seabirds: Understanding the linkages between mobile predators, prey, and hydrodynamics. Ecosphere. http://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4080
J. Slingsby, B. Scott, L. Kregting, J. McIlvenny, J. Wilson, M. Yanez, S. Langlois, B.J. Williamson (2022). Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Imagery to Characterise Pursuit-Diving Seabird Association with Tidal Stream Hydrodynamic Habitat Features. Frontiers in Marine Science. http://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.820722
J. Cocking, B.E. Narayanaswamy, C.M. Waluda, B.J. Williamson (2022). Aerial detection of beached marine plastic using a novel, hyperspectral short-wave infrared (SWIR) camera. ICES Journal of Marine Science. http://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsac006
Z. Hutchison, L. Lieber, R. Miller, B.J. Williamson (2021). Environmental Impacts of Tidal and Wave Energy Converters. Comprehensive Renewable Energy. http://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-819727-1.00115-1
D. Coles, A. Angeloudis, D. Greaves, G. Hastie, M. Lewis, L. Mackie, J. McNaughton, J. Miles, S.P. Neill, M.D. Piggott, D. Risch, B. Scott, C. Spalding, T. Stallard, P. Thies, S. Walker, D. White, R. Willden, B.J. Williamson (2021). A review of the UK and British Channel Islands practical tidal stream resource. Proceedings of the Royal Society A. http://doi.org/10.1098/rspa.2021.0469
T. Yoshida, D. Furuichi, B.J. Williamson, J. Zhou, S. Dong, Q. Li, D. Kitazawa (2021). Experimental study of fish behavior near a tidal turbine model under dark conditions. Journal of Marine Science and Technology. http://doi.org/10.1007/s00773-021-00850-w
J. McIlvenny, A. Youngson, B.J. Williamson, N.R. Gauld, L. Goddijn-Murphy, D. Del Villar-Guerra (2021). Combining acoustic tracking and hydrodynamic modelling to study migratory behaviour of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolts on entry into high-energy coastal waters. ICES Journal of Marine Science. Free access link. http://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsab111
J. McIlvenny, B.J. Williamson, C. MacDowall, P. Gleizon, R. O’Hara Murray (2021). Modelling hydrodynamics of fast tidal stream around a promontory headland. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2021.107474
J. Slingsby, B.E. Scott, L. Kregting, J. McIlvenny, J. Wilson, A. Couto, D. Roos, M. Yanez, B.J. Williamson (2021). Surface Characterisation of Kolk-Boils within Tidal Stream Environments Using UAV Imagery. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. http://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9050484
B.J. Williamson, P. Blondel, L.D Williamson, B.E. Scott (2021). Application of a multibeam echosounder to document changes in animal movement and behaviour around a tidal turbine structure. ICES Journal of Marine Science. http://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsab017
N. Isaksson, I.R. Cleasby, E. Owen, B.J. Williamson, J.D.R. Houghton, J. Wilson, E.A. Masden (2021). The use of animal-borne biologging and telemetry data to quantify spatial overlap of wildlife with marine renewables. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. http://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9030263
D.J. Hasselman, D.R. Barclay, R.J. Cavagnaro, C. Chandler, E. Cotter, D.M. Gillespie, G.D. Hastie, J.K. Horne, J. Joslin, C. Long, L.P. McGarry, R.P. Mueller, C.E. Sparling, B.J. Williamson 2020. Environmental Monitoring Technologies and Techniques for Detecting Interactions of Marine Animals with Turbines. In A.E. Copping and L.G. Hemery (Eds.), OES-Environmental 2020 State of the Science Report: Environmental Effects of Marine Renewable Energy Development Around the World. Report for Ocean Energy Systems (OES). (pp. 176-213). http://doi.org/10.2172/1633202
G. Hays, H. Koldeway, et al., B.J. Williamson, D. Curnick (2020). A review of a decade of lessons from one of the world’s largest MPAs: conservation gains and key challenges. Marine Biology. http://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-020-03776-w
N. Isaksson, E.A. Masden, B.J. Williamson, M. Costagliola-Ray, J. Slingsby, J. Houghton, J. Wilson (2020). Assessing the effects of tidal stream marine renewable energy on seabirds: A conceptual framework. Marine Pollution Bulletin. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111314
L. Goddijn-Murphy, B.J. Williamson (2019). On Thermal Infrared Remote Sensing of Plastic Pollution in Natural Waters. Remote Sensing. http://doi.org/10.3390/rs11182159
D. Tamsett, J. McIlvenny, J. Baxter, P. Gois, B.J. Williamson (2019). On the Information Advantage of Sidescan Sonar Three-Frequency Colour over Greyscale Imagery. Marine Science and Engineering. http://doi.org/10.3390/jmse7080276
B.J. Williamson, S. Fraser, L. Williamson, V. Nikora, B.E. Scott (2019). Predictable changes in fish school characteristics due to a tidal turbine support structure. Renewable Energy. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2019.04.065
E. Cotter, P. Murphy, C. Bassett, B.J. Williamson, B. Polagye (2019). Acoustic characterization of sensors used for marine environmental monitoring. Marine Pollution Bulletin. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.04.079
S. Fraser, B.J. Williamson, V. Nikora, B.E. Scott (2018). Fish distributions in a tidal channel indicate the behavioural impact of a marine renewable energy installation. Energy Reports. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2018.01.008
S. Fraser, V. Nikora, B.J. Williamson, B.E. Scott (2017). Hydrodynamic Impacts of a Marine Renewable Energy Installation on the Benthic Boundary Layer in a Tidal Channel. Energy Procedia. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2017.08.169
B.J. Williamson, S. Fraser, Ph. Blondel, P.S. Bell, J.J. Waggitt, B.E. Scott (2017). Multisensor Acoustic Tracking of Fish and Seabird Behavior Around Tidal Turbine Structures in Scotland. IEEE Journal of Oceanic Engineering. http://doi.org/10.1109/JOE.2016.2637179
S. Fraser, V. Nikora, B.J. Williamson, B.E. Scott (2017). Automatic active acoustic target detection in turbulent aquatic environments. Limnology & Oceanography: Methods. http://doi.org/10.1002/lom3.10155
L.E. Wiesebron, J.K. Horne, B.E. Scott, B.J. Williamson (2016). Comparing nekton distributions at two tidal energy sites suggests potential for generic environmental monitoring. International Journal of Marine Energy. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijome.2016.07.004
J.J. Waggitt, P.W. Cazenave, R. Torres, B.J. Williamson, B.E. Scott (2016). Predictable hydrodynamic conditions explain temporal variations in the density of benthic foraging seabirds in a tidal stream environment. ICES Journal of Marine Science. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsw100
J.J. Waggitt, P.W. Cazenave, R. Torres, B.J. Williamson, B.E. Scott (2016). Quantifying pursuit-diving seabirds’ associations with fine-scale physical features in tidal stream environments. Journal of Applied Ecology. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.12646
B.J. Williamson, Ph. Blondel, E. Armstrong, P.S. Bell, C. Hall, J.J. Waggitt, B.E. Scott (2016). A Self-Contained Subsea Platform for Acoustic Monitoring of the Environment Around Marine Renewable Energy Devices – Field Deployments at Wave and Tidal Energy Sites in Orkney, Scotland. IEEE Journal of Oceanic Engineering. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/JOE.2015.2410851 |
Profile
Research Interests
Benjamin Williamson’s research includes marine and terrestrial sensing, with a focus on environmental science. His research interests include sensor fusion, remote sensing above and under water, computer vision and machine learning, with applications from measuring the environmental and ecological effects of marine renewable energy devices to marine plastic litter. He has a background in smart grids (link), prior to hydroacoustics and developing subsea multi-sensor platforms to track the interactions of fish, seabirds and marine mammals with marine energy devices. He is Lead Scientist for the ‘Energy’ Research Theme at the ERI based out of the Centre for Energy and the Environment (CfEE) and Chair of UHI Energy Innovation.
His PhD was in robotics and developed hybrid-ROV/AUVs for near-shore habitat mapping of kelp beds using multibeam sonar and video (link). He has a keen interest in developing novel sensor platforms to investigate biophysical interactions in the marine environment, such as using UAVs (link) to investigate behavioural associations of top predators with fine-scale hydrodynamic surface features at tidal energy sites.
Current projects include PELAgIO investigating ecosystem effects of offshore wind (press release), PREDICT improving understanding of fish migration patterns and providing a vision for next-generation monitoring techniques (press release) and IFLOW investigating effects of floating offshore wind on fish and marine mammals. More widely, current projects include island energy systems (ROBINSON), sustainable aviation (SATE), wave energy for off-grid communities (INGINE), and two KTPs supporting knowledge and technology transfer with industry.
Previous projects range from using drones to map surface currents and seabirds at marine energy sites (V-SCORES) to mapping floating plastic litter (TISPLALI), and from marine renewable energy resource assessment (Gibraltar) to validating reliable environmental monitoring for ocean energy (OERA Pathway Program) or hydrogen utilisation and green energy (HUGE).
Accepting PhD/MRes students and internship / placement students.
External Responsibilities
Awards
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