Professor, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, United States
Dr. Harry Martin Jol is a distinguished Professor in the Department of Geography and Anthropology at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. Renowned for his pioneering use of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), his work integrates geophysics, geomorphology, and archaeological applications across global field sites. Dr. Jol’s career spans decades of impactful teaching, extensive field seminars, and interdisciplinary research. He has collaborated internationally, including projects in Eastern Europe, Israel, New Zealand, and Canada, and has over 90 refereed publications to his name. Known for his commitment to both scholarly research and student mentoring, Dr. Jol has shaped generations of geographers and geoscientists through immersive learning experiences. His work bridges environmental science and cultural heritage, uncovering stories embedded in landscapes and sediment. With a strong global network and a passion for education, Dr. Jol continues to contribute to the advancement of Earth sciences and the understanding of our planet’s dynamic systems.
Profile
Scopus
Scholar
🎓 Education
Dr. Harry Jol earned his Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Calgary (1993), where his dissertation pioneered the use of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) in sedimentary deposits, under the guidance of Dr. Derald G. Smith. Prior to that, he completed his M.Sc. at Simon Fraser University (1989), focusing on seismic stratigraphy of the Fraser River Delta with advisor Dr. Michael C. Roberts. His academic journey began with a B.Sc. in Physical Geography (1987) at Simon Fraser University. Throughout his education, Dr. Jol received prestigious scholarships and fellowships, including the Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Scholarship, NSERC fellowships, and multiple provincial awards in Canada. His academic training laid a strong foundation in physical geography, geophysics, and sedimentary processes, forming the bedrock for his impactful career in environmental geoscience and education.
💼 Experience
Dr. Harry Jol has been a faculty member at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire since 1996, advancing from Assistant to Full Professor. He teaches a wide array of courses in geomorphology, environmental hazards, GPR, and physical geography. Notably, he has led numerous domestic and international field seminars, integrating experiential learning in places like Death Valley, New Zealand, and Israel. His prior teaching appointments include Trinity Western University, University of the Fraser Valley, and University of Calgary. He has also served as co-instructor in engineering geology courses at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. Dr. Jol is recognized for his interdisciplinary and intercultural approach, often blending geoscience, archaeology, and history in both academic and community education contexts. A mentor to many, he has supervised countless undergraduate theses and field studies, with an unwavering commitment to immersive, research-based learning.
🏅 Awards and Honors
Dr. Harry Jol has received numerous awards recognizing his scholarly excellence, innovative teaching, and global engagement. He is a three-time recipient of the prestigious Visiting Erskine Fellowship at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand (2003, 2018, 2025), and has completed multiple University of Wisconsin sabbaticals to advance research. He was a finalist for the Excellence in Mentoring in Research Award (2023), and co-author of a paper that earned the Grove Karl Gilbert Award in Geomorphology (2019). He was honored with the Excellence in Service-Learning Faculty Mentor Award (2017), and was named a Fellow of the Geological Society of America in 2008. Early in his career, he was supported by top Canadian awards, including NSERC, Petro-Canada, and Killam fellowships. His educational website was distinguished in 1999, and he was nominated as CASE Professor of the Year.
🔬 Research Focus
Dr. Jol’s research focuses on Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) applications in geomorphology, environmental hazards, coastal processes, and geoarchaeology. His interdisciplinary work bridges geophysics, sedimentology, and historical geography to uncover subsurface features such as mass graves, fault lines, ancient settlements, and glacial deposits. He collaborates globally with scientists, archaeologists, and historians on sites across North America, Europe, and the Middle East. Recent studies include Holocaust-related investigations in Latvia and Lithuania, paleoenvironmental reconstructions in Israel and China, and coastal geomorphology around Lake Superior. Dr. Jol is committed to non-invasive methods, data visualization, and multi-proxy approaches. He integrates his research into undergraduate and community education, training students in GPR analysis and field methods. His work has been widely published in top-tier journals and featured in public outreach settings, making science accessible and impactful.
✅Conclusion
Dr. Harry Martin Jol is exceptionally qualified for the Best Researcher Award. His decades-long contribution to geoscience and interdisciplinary research—especially in GPR-based environmental and archaeological exploration—is both prolific and globally impactful. His mentorship legacy, academic leadership, and innovation in applying geophysical methods to sensitive historical sites demonstrate deep intellectual and societal value. With minor improvements in project visibility and public-facing research translation, he stands as a model researcher whose career is a testament to scientific excellence and ethical application.
Publication
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Title: GPR in sediments: advice on data collection, basic processing and interpretation, a good practice guide
Authors: H.M. Jol, C.S. Bristow
Year: 2003
Citations: 440
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Title: Evidence for eight great earthquake-subsidence events detected with ground-penetrating radar, Willapa barrier, Washington
Authors: R.A. Meyers, D.G. Smith, H.M. Jol, C.D. Peterson
Year: 1996
Citations: 156