Dougal Alexander Jerram (born 12 December 1969) is a British geologist/earth scientist, and television and media presenter/contributor. As an earth sciences expert, he has appeared on the BBC, National Geographic, Discovery Channel, History Channel and Channel 4, and on many other TV and radio programs, relating the earth sciences to the general public. He has published over 45 scientific papers, has edited for scientific journals, and has held posts on committees including the Volcanic and Magmatic Studies Group of the Geological Society. In 2006 he received the Murchison Fund by the Geological Society of London for his early career contribution to geology. Early life and career Born in 1969, Dougal grew up in the London suburbs (with a brief stint in Manchester). His love for geology and the Earth was first realised whilst studying at London's Northwood School. Studying geology, he graduated from Cardiff University in 1992. He obtained his doctorate in 1996 at the University of Liverpool based on his research into ways that textures in volcanic and igneous rocks were formed and could be studied. He began his professional career in 1996 with a two-year postdoctoral position at the University of Würzburg, Germany. In 1998 he returned to the UK and spent 13 years as research fellow, lecturer and senior lecturer at the University of Durham. In June 2011 he set up DougalEARTH Ltd., where he combines his pursuits in consultancy, media, research and teaching. Television and media career Dougal's first major TV appearance was on a popular science expedition to Ethiopia called 'The Hottest Place on Earth' for the BBC and discovery in 2009, having appeared early that year on Britain From Above with Andrew Marr. He has subsequently appeared on a number of science-related films, usually at or very near live volcanoes. In 2010 he reported extensively on the air travel disruption after the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption in live TV interviews on BBC, Sky News, ITV and various radio programs, and in features for Channel 4 news, BBC and The Guardian. He has also made live TV appearances as Dr Volcano for The One Show on BBC. TV and media contributions Britain from Above (shown August 2008), Geology expert in Episode 3 of Andrew Marr's BBC1 series. Produced by LION TV (Director – Cassian Harrison)., also shown in the United States on the Discovery Channel Hottest Place on Earth (March 2009), 2x 1 hour BBC1, 3