Having grown up on a farm in rural Northumberland, I have long had a passion for learning about the natural environment. This drove my decision to study BSc Geography at Royal Holloway, University of London (2014-2017). Whilst there, my research focussed on Quaternary environments; specifically the fields of geochronology and palaeoenvironmental reconstructions. I became particularly interested in the application of tephrochronology - the use of volcanic ash (tephra) layers as chronostratigraphic markers in sedimentary archives (e.g. palaeoenvironmental and archaeological records). These markers can be used to correlate and, crucially, compare disparate archives to aid a better understanding of the spatiotemporal nature of climate change across large geographical regions.
Following my undergraduate studies, I attended the University of Cambridge (2017-2018) to undertake a M.Phil under the supervision of Prof. Julian Dowdeswell and Prof. Christine Lane. There I specialised in the identification of tephra non-visible to the naked eye (cryptotephra), the study of which enables tephrochronological research to be conducted in more distal locations. My thesis “The first detection of Holocene cryptotephra deposits in lacustrine sediments from southeast Greenland” was one of the first cryptotephra investigations conducted in Greenland lakes with key findings being prepared for publication.
Outreach
I have a demonstrable passion for encouraging wider public engagement in science. I write a science blog under “That Geordie Geographer” and I am a tutor for the Brilliant Club, a charity which aims to widen access to university for students from underrepresented groups. In addition, I work with St. Anne’s College and others from the University of Oxford as well as schools from across the North East region to improve outreach in and representation from the North East of England in highly selective universities. I am happy to discuss any of these endeavours further.
Awards
· Noel Moon Scholarship – St. Anne’s College, University of Oxford (2019 - ongoing)
· College Scholarship – Jesus College, University of Cambridge (2018)
Awarded full funding by INTegration of Ice-core, MArine, and TErrestrial records (INTIMATE) palaeoclimate network for fieldwork in the Vosges Mountains, France (2018)
