Earth and Environmental Sciences (SEES)

Profile

General

Born and raised in Portsmouth, I graduated from the Department of Geography at the University of Portsmouth in July 2009 with a First Class Honours in Physical Geography. This course has strengthened and developed my keen interest in areas including: Physical Hazards, Applied Geomorphology, Ecology and Climatology.

Research

• I achieved a First Class mark for my undergraduate dissertation, which investigated how seasonal changes in light intensity and canopy cover impact on ground vegetation cover and diversity in a deciduous woodland. I carried out this research in an area of Queen Elizabeth Country Park with a particular emphasis on applying the findings and methodology to the ongoing forest biodiversity management plan at the site.
• I am currently undertaking a PhD to assess the economic impact of landslides in Great Britain. The aim of this research is to develop a robust model of estimating landslide costs and raising the perception and awareness of landsliding as a significant hazard in the U.K, with particular consideration of the likely change and increase in events resulting from future variation of environmental factors such as climate change.

Career Plans

My long term career plan has always been to teach and in the summer of 2009 I completed a three week Student Associate Scheme placement at my old secondary school, Miltoncross, with a view to applying for a PGCE. As fate would have it I didn’t get onto the 2009/10 course. It was only then that this PhD came to my attention. This path will not only allow me to use and further my knowledge of the subject that I love but also provide me with valuable teaching opportunities and contacts, which will put me in an even better position to fulfil my current career goal. The human adventure is just beginning...