Oliver studies the behaviour of matter at extreme conditions of pressure and temperature using a wide range of experimental techniques including micro-fabrication and laser-heated diamond anvil cell and large volume press experiments often in combination with various forms of X-ray analysis at Synchrotron user facilities (where he spends a lot of time), Raman spectroscopy, neutron diffraction and ab-initio computations. Oliver uses these techniques (and develops new ones) to try to better understand the interior structure and dynamics of the Earth and planets. He also enjoys collaborating with others to apply these capabilities to a range of problems that cut across geology, physics and engineering, including the phase diagrams and physical properties of transition metals, the mechanical and optical behaviour of current technological materials and the synthesis of novel superconducting compounds.

Oliver is currently working on a number of projects, funded by the Royal Society and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), listed below. My research has also led to the development of various software tools, which I am in the process of making available on GitHub.