Can you tell us why you chose to study Natural Sciences at Manchester Met? 

From a young age, I was fascinated by everything to do with the Natural Sciences, especially rocks and fossils. My grandma gave me a box of labeled rocks and fossils from around the world that she had inherited from a geologist friend. I loved looking through them and learning about the specimens. Later, school trips to Iceland and Wales inspired me to find out more about glacial landscapes and processes. I pursued a career in the Natural Sciences because it encompassed all of these elements and much more.

Manchester is an amazing city and when I visited Manchester Met, I fell in love with it. I love that it had a central location and campus feel all squeezed into one. Staff from the Department of Natural Sciences were very friendly and approachable, and the variety of content on the BSc (Hons) Geography course appealed to me. The course also enabled me to specialise in my preferred modules throughout my time there. 

I found a lot of the assignments and field trip exercises had a creative focus and this made them less daunting and kept my interest in even the most challenging assignments. We were always encouraged to get hands-on experience and explore the subject from different angles rather than just being told what to do.

What have you been doing since graduating from Manchester Met?

I’ve gained a postgraduate degree in Quaternary Science at Royal Holloway University. Throughout my time in Manchester, I learned a lot about the Quarternary and the last glacial period. This was an interesting topic for me because it covers a variety of natural processes including the climate, glaciers, archeology and paleontology.

I was researching potential postgraduate courses within Earth Sciences and came across Quaternary Science. The course was also recommended to me by various people inside and outside the Department, and my application was supported by my dissertation supervisor who studied at Royal Holloway University herself. I applied midway through my third year and began my postgraduate degree the September after I graduated from Manchester Met. 

I am just about to start my PhD in Liverpool, working between multiple universities in the UK and US  including Manchester Met. During the last glacial period, the majority of Canada and northern parts of the covered in large ice sheets which have since melted away. I will be analysing sediment from lakes and bogs to further understand past ice dynamics in the North East of Pennsylvania (USA). 

Outside of the course teaching, what other opportunities did you get involved in during your time at Manchester Met?

I took part in two field trips. I went to the USA as part of my research dissertation and I was invited to Ireland to assist a PhD student with their sampling. These opportunities came up purely because I got to know others in the Department and made myself known.

I also took part in the Faculty of Science and Engineering Extracurricular Award (now RISE) where I did a few sessions on Python, Raspberry Pi and bog ecology. I was also a student ambassador for the University. This was a great way to meet other students on different courses and gain a bit of extra money on weekends. 

What advice would you give to students who aspire to a career in Natural Sciences?   

Networking is really important. It’s great to get to know your peers as well as people inside and outside the Department of Natural Sciences. If you’re passionate about the subject, Twitter can be a useful tool to content with other scientists and become part of the community. As an early career researcher, it is now easier than ever to broadcast your voice to a wider audience.

Don’t ever be afraid or embarrassed to ask for extra help, explanations or support with the Department of Natural Sciences. Everyone is honestly so friendly and passionate about the subject.

What does diversity in Natural Sciences mean to you?   

For me, diversity means equal opportunities and encouragement for all. As someone who is LGBT and works within the Natural Sciences, I try to speak about my experiences openly and show others that there is a supportive network within the discipline.

What are your plans for the future?  

Once I complete my PhD, I hope to ultimately pursue a career in academia and science communication. I love sharing my academic experiences with others and I hope that I can open doors for others who may feel uncertain about their abilities. I would also love to gain some work experience outside of academia, such as working for the US Environmental Protection Agency, to broaden my horizons and contribute different perspectives to the current climate emergency.

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