Tell us a little about yourself
I have been a lecturer at the University of Cumbria for around a year and a half.
Immediately after my undergraduate degree I was heavily focused on graduate employment, and this enabled me to reflect on the worlds processes but also how business operates. I quickly became a mentor, a role that I loved and sparked a passion for teaching.
After seven years in industry, I returned to academia undertaking a masters degree also rekindling my academic intrigue in all things coastal, digital and surveying. I have since won public speaking awards, poster competitions, completed both my PhD and teaching qualifications to which I am delighted to use.
What’s your industry background
I initially worked as an off-survey surveyor in dredge monitoring and environmental survey. Through this experience I became ever more interested in the sensitivity of the habitats we operated in and how that might be represented by the data we were collecting.
Over time I realised that many of my intuitions seemed accurate and wanted to pursue a way to influence and help land managers, government and stakeholders discuss these.
Can you tell us about your research?
Whilst still an early career researcher, I have enjoyed some exciting successes! I have been part of public-engagement grants to encourage dialogue between farmers, town planners and local government in terms of sea-level rise.
Also, one of my academic contributions was presented at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) regarding a potential underestimation of the valuation of saltmarshes as systems to absorb trapped carbon.
I am currently very keen to investigate the role of topography in driving species, climate, and habitat stability. I tend to think in digital methods such as laser scanners, drones and advanced GPS but always keep in mind the decades of research before us. Accessibility is a key aspect of research.
What might surprise people to learn about you?
Students typically find it surprising to know that I am a keen astrophotographer, motorcycle enthusiast and travel to Manchester several times a year for gigs (most notably metal).
What modules do you teach?
Currently I teach across all programmes at Ambleside, which I take pride in. It means I see all the students at some point; all bringing their unique interests and skills into our discussions which is always invigorating. I am a firm believe that equitable communication is key to teaching and advancing knowledge.
What’s your favourite thing about teaching at Cumbria?
The best thing about teaching in Cumbria are the options. Upon arriving at Ambleside you are in the heart of the Lake District and never more than an hour or so from a vulnerable ecosystem, and interesting landscape.
We have excellent connections with landowners and a range of charitable and corporate stakeholders within the Lake District National Park Partnership. It means our teaching, research and students can affect how Cumbria operates.
You never know your interests and work might lead to this knowledge being transferred nationally or even globally.
What makes your course different?
I was initially employed as a researcher here at the University of Cumbria. While in this role I learnt about the commitment to field-based or sometime called experiential learning. This vision is common at other universities but rarely delivered.
I chose to work at the University of Cumbria as I could see there was a real commitment to this vision and when paired with the access and location in the Nation Park; I felt their no better place to develop my own teaching style based on my experience in industry and focus on communication.
What advice would you give to students considering studying on this course?
My key advice is bringing your hobbies and interests with you. The Lake District is a lovely place to live and study. The campus is small, but the site (the whole of Cumbria) is huge and diverse.
Try to get out using the bus network; try and find a way to bring your hobbies to this unique setting, perhaps drone footage, video editing, cycling. Maybe like me you’re a bit of a foodie. There are some beautiful places to recharge but also to see the earths process in action, take a weekend to have a BBQ and draw landscapes or do some mapping.
What is great, is that the University has all the equipment you need to do these things, free and available at all times to students to make for wonderful weekends.
Vist our Geography course to find out more.