Stephen Brown's primary scientific interests are the physical properties of fractured and otherwise heterogeneous rock as well as the application of geophysical methods to mining, energy, and environmental problems. His work combines field geologic and geophysical studies and mapping, experimental geophysics in the laboratory, computer modeling, and theoretical work. Field work has involved various fracture and fault mapping projects where the results have been placed in the context of theoretical models. In the course of this work, he has also invented, designed, and built unique laboratory and field apparatuses for measurement of physical processes as well as successfully designed, written, and used accompanying specialty software for data acquisition and analysis. Specific technical skills applied in these projects are: manufacturing and prototyping through the use of machining, metalwork, and casting; analog and digital electronics design and assembly; integration of microcontrollers into instrumentation; ELF and VLF radio receiver and antenna design and construction; radio remote control of instrumentation and data logging; laser imaging and ranging equipment design/assembly/use; time series analysis and image analysis; numerical modeling of elastic, electrical, and fluid transport processes. He is a licensed radio amateur. He authored and co­authored more than 50 peer­reviewed research articles in technical journals and conference proceedings.