Will teaches across Environmental Science, Geography and MSc in ECMM programmes. Key modules include:
- Introduction to Environmental Science (Level 4)
- Frontiers in Environmental Science (Level 5)
- Environmental Pollution (Level 6)
He also contributes to the following modules:
- Exploring Worlds Around Us (Level 4)
- Interpreting Environments (Level 4)
- Frontiers in Physical Geography (Level 5)
- Field Studies (Level 6)
- Environmental Impact Assessment and Monitoring (Level 6)
- Geography and Environmental Science Dissertation (Level 6)
- Sustainable Earth Resources (Level 7)
- ECMM dissertation (Level 7)
Journal Article
Spatial variability of metal(loid) leaching from coastal colliery wastes under freshwater and saline water conditions
Gandy, C. J., Burke, I. T., Byrne, P., Cooper, N., Crane, R. A., Hudson-Edwards, K. A., Mayes, W. M., Onnis, P., Riley, A. L., & Jarvis, A. P. (2025). Spatial variability of metal(loid) leaching from coastal colliery wastes under freshwater and saline water conditions. Journal of environmental management, 376, Article 124489. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.124489
Spatial and temporal (annual and decadal) trends of metal(loid) concentrations and loads in an acid mine drainage-affected river
Jennings, E., Onnis, P., Crane, R., Comber, S. D. W., Byrne, P., Riley, A. L., Mayes, W. M., Jarvis, A. P., & Hudson-Edwards, K. A. (2025). Spatial and temporal (annual and decadal) trends of metal(loid) concentrations and loads in an acid mine drainage-affected river. Science of the Total Environment, 964, Article 178496. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.178496
Conservation priorities for development: survey of UK public's views on brownfield sites and biodiversity
Macgregor, C., Deutz, P., Bunting, J., & Mayes, W. (2024). Conservation priorities for development: survey of UK public's views on brownfield sites and biodiversity. People, Place and Policy, 18(3), 135-163. https://doi.org/10.3351/ppp.2024.4947649325
Long-term coastal dynamics: The evolution of a mixed sediment mega-nourishment consisting of colliery spoil
Pitman, S., Pitman, S. J., Burke, I., Burke, I. T., Jay, H., Cooper, N., Mayes, W. M., Jarvis, A., & Jarvis, A. P. (2024). Long-term coastal dynamics: The evolution of a mixed sediment mega-nourishment consisting of colliery spoil. Journal of environmental management, 371, Article 123106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.123106
Carbon dioxide removal could result in the use of lower-grade iron ore in a decarbonized net-negative emission steel industry
Renforth, P., Campbell, J., Foteinis, S., Cosgun, E., Young, J., Strunge, T., Riley, A. L., Mayes, W. M., & van der Spek, M. W. (2024). Carbon dioxide removal could result in the use of lower-grade iron ore in a decarbonized net-negative emission steel industry. Journal of cleaner production, 468, Article 142987. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.142987
Research interests
Current and recent research projects are listed below and include:
- Legacy Wastes in the Coastal Zone (NERC)
- Resource Recovery and Remediation of Alkaline Wastes (NERC / Defra / ESRC)
- Greenhouse Gas Removal in the Iron and Steel Industry (NERC); led by Phil Renforth (Heriott Watt)
- Impact of an extreme rainfall event on solute and sediment dynamics in a mineralised river system (NERC); led by Adam Jarvis (Newcastle)
For more details follow the link to my ORCID record.
Lead investigator
Project
Funder
Grant
Started
Status
Project
StormFlux: Effect of Storm Babet on Pollution Fluxes from Remobilised Mine Wastes
Funder
Natural Environment Research Council
Grant
£19,603.03
Started
31 January 2024
Status
Ongoing
Project
Legacy wastes in the coastal zone: environmental risks and management futures
Funder
Natural Environment Research Council
Grant
£302,489.76
Started
6 January 2020
Status
Complete
Project
Greenhouse Gas removal in the Iron and Steel Industry
Funder
Cardiff University
Grant
£19,726.00
Started
1 September 2017
Status
Complete
Project
Resource recovery and remediation of alkaline wastes
Funder
Natural Environment Research Council
Grant
£774,884.00
Started
31 August 2014
Status
Complete
Project
Impact of an extreme rainfall event on solute and sediment dynamics in a mineralised river system
Funder
Natural Environment Research Council
Grant
£3,374.76
Started
1 March 2016
Status
Complete
Project
Accelerated Supergene Processes in Repository Engineering
Funder
Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council
Grant
£18,120.03
Started
1 March 2021
Status
Complete
Co-investigator
Project
Funder
Grant
Started
Status
Project
Advice and support on the development of a Sustainable Drainage Sensor array to of the DIG Consortium
Funder
DEFRA
Grant
£112,608.00
Started
1 December 2022
Status
Ongoing
Project
DEFRA: National Assessment to explore Methodologies to tackle Erosion and Flooding of Historic Coastal Landfill Sites
Funder
Haskoning UK Ltd
Grant
£49,711.60
Started
31 January 2024
Status
Ongoing
Project
CAMS PostDoc
Funder
Analytical Chemistry Trust Fund
Grant
£100,000.00
Started
1 November 2019
Status
Complete
Project
GCRF 2019 PPF15: Source Identification and Monitoring of Emerging Contaminants in Ground and Drinking Waters in India.
Funder
University of Hull
Grant
£26,536.01
Started
1 February 2019
Status
Complete
Project
Interreg - Sullied Sediments
Funder
European Commission
Grant
£279,657.00
Started
1 January 2017
Status
Complete
Project
ECPE PPF: To investigate a plastic free alternative to single use plastic sacks for co-mingled recyclate reflecting technical, social economic and environmental constraints
Funder
Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council
Grant
£18,900.00
Started
1 January 2020
Status
Complete
Project
Digital resources for practical learning in the GEES disciplines
Funder
European Commission
Grant
£54,757.13
Started
1 June 2021
Status
Complete
Project
nutrient analysis on Winestead Drain (EA partnership)
Funder
Environment Agency
Grant
£8,794.27
Started
25 January 2022
Status
Complete
Project
NERC Discipline Hopping - Bridging the gap from waste to novel materials
Funder
Natural Environment Research Council
Grant
£3,997.98
Started
1 March 2022
Status
Complete
Project
nutrient analysis on Winestead Drain (EA partnership) 2
Funder
Environment Agency
Grant
£19,972.44
Started
1 September 2022
Status
Complete
Project
Citizen-led pre-concentration and analysis of water pollution at the point-of-need
Funder
Analytical Chemistry Trust Fund
Grant
£1,600.00
Started
4 June 2018
Status
Complete
Project
Evolving a Circular Plastics Economy
Funder
Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council
Grant
£938,304.30
Started
1 January 2019
Status
Complete
Postgraduate supervision
Completed PhDs
Victor Uchenna Oty (PhD, 2012-2016): Remediation of hyperalkaline industrial drainage, University of Hull international bursary, field support costs from Tata Steel.
Ashley Jones (PhD, 2010-2014): Solute dynamics in mine-impacted streams, funded by University of Hull.
Helen Baxter (PhD, 2011-2015): Integrating Payments for Environmental Services with LCA at abandoned mine remediation schemes, funded by University of Hull.
Riina Vaht (PhD, 2009-2012, completed): Impact of oil shale mining on hydrological regime, co-supervisor with Prof. Mander, University of Tartu, Estonia.