Candidates for AAPG office have been given the opportunity to respond briefly to the subject: "Why I Accepted the Invitation to be a Candidate for an AAPG Office."
Their responses and biographical information were provided by each candidate and edited only for grammar, spelling and format.
This information will also be provided as hard-copy in the January issue of the EXPLORER and available on the AAPG Web site through the election period. Ballots will be mailed, online in the first quarter of 2013. Results will be posted mid-May 2013.
Candidates were asked to limit their biographies to 350 words and responses to 500 words.
2012-13 Editor Candidate
Colin P. North Learn about Colin North
University of Aberdeen - Aberdeen, Scotland
Why I Accepted the Invitation to be a Candidate for an AAPG Office ...
Dissemination of ideas, techniques and experience, is at the heart of the AAPG mission to advance the science and technology of petroleum geology. Through its publications, AAPG has a long, noble and internationally recognized history of leadership, one which has often led to major geological advances beyond its immediate remit. The Elected Editor has the task of mobilizing, fostering and guiding the many volunteer-driven activities that contribute to this leadership role, all the time ensuring the highest quality is maintained.
We cannot, however, be complacent about this past success. The publishing world is changing fast, and AAPG must continue to respond. In part this is being driven by new publishing technology and innovative computer hardware. But it is also a response to the increased demands of the readership and the changing nature of the energy industry itself.
I am excited by the possibility of building on the excellent work of preceding editors in order to assist the Association evolve so that it can continue to lead the profession. I believe I have reached the point in my career where I have the depth of relevant experience and breadth of practical knowledge to be able to make a significant impact in helping AAPG rise to the new challenges.
My industrial and university employments have given me a good understanding of the needs of professionals – young and old – in the hydrocarbons industry, and the relevance of AAPG publications to both training and advanced resource exploitation.
I have experience with running a major journal (Journal of Sedimentary Research), managing an editorial board, and with technical editing of all kinds. This experience spans the entire range of relevance, as an author, as an editor and in management of journal staff and finances.
I have been a Bulletin associate editor since 1999, and am currently chair of the Publications Committee, providing me with knowledge of the full range of AAPG publishing activity.
As chair of the GeoScienceWorld electronic publishing aggregate, which AAPG co-founded, I have acquired knowledge of publishing beyond the traditional approach of most geoscience societies, and gained important insights into the electronic publishing world of the future.
I believe that in all these activities I have demonstrated an ability to work diplomatically, constructively and fairly.
Encouraging and communicating new science has to be a central publishing activity, to keep our members at the leading edge in their field. I also would like to foster, actively and perhaps more explicitly than of late, the documentation and discussion of good practice in resource exploration and development: this has to be of equal importance and should be a major contribution to the much-needed transfer of knowledge between generations.
Above all, I want to see publications making a significant positive contribution to the financial health of the Association at the same time as providing an outstanding member service.
About Colin North ...
Senior lecturer petroleum geology, University of Aberdeen, Scotland
Born 1956, Portsmouth, England
Academic Degrees
Ph.D., geology, University of Bristol, UK
B.S., geology (Honors), University College London, UK
Experience
1998-present
Senior Lecturer in Petroleum Geology, University of Aberdeen, Scotland
1989-98
Lecturer in Petroleum Geology, University of Aberdeen, Scotland
1988-89
Postdoctoral research, Delft University jointly with Shell Research, Netherlands
1985-88
Ph.D. research, University of Bristol, and consultancy for BP Coal & NIREX, UK
1977-85
Senior geologist, The British Petroleum Co., London, England
AAPG Activities
Joined AAPG 1990
1998-present
Associate Editor, AAPG Bulletin
2011-present
Chair Publications Committee
2010-11
Vice chair Publications Committee
Publications
25 peer-reviewed publications on heterogeneity of continental sedimentary successions and reservoir modeling
AAPG Editor Responsibilities as defined by AAPG Bylaws, Article II, Section 8.
The Editor shall have general supervision and final authority in soliciting, accepting, and rejecting all material on technical subjects for publication. The Editor shall have policy oversight and responsibility for editorial content of all technical and peer reviewed publications. With the approval of the Executive Committee, the Editor shall appoint, replace, and reappoint such volunteer associate editors from among the membership of the Association that may be required to accomplish the publication activities of the Association. The Editor shall submit an annual report of editorial activities to the Executive Committee.