Working as a Geoarchaeologist at Wessex Archaeology, I work in the varied disciplines which includes both field, lab and office-based activities. I act as Wessex Archaeology “in house” palynologist, undertaking pollen analysis as part of palaeoenviromental assessments and analyses. I also undertake fieldwork, which includes acting as site manager for both test pitting targeting Palaeolithic archaeology, and geoarchaeological borehole surveys. From the data gleaned from these fieldworks, I have been trained to utilities RockWorks and ArcGIS to fully utilise and understand the data.

I undertook a NERC-funded PhD focusing on terrestrial and marine responses during abrupt climate change in the neotropics. To determine these responses during abrupt climate events, I have analysed pollen, microcharcoal (University of Exeter), dinoflagellates (Utrecht University) and biogeochemistry (University of Bristol). During this PhD I have undertaken a diverse set of laboratory and analytical techniques. This includes the use of clean room chemical analysis, microscopy and analysis using C2, R and QGIS. Results from this PhD have been published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at international conferences.Dinoflagellate Training (Oct 2019): Week long visit to Utrecht University (Netherlands) to receive training in dinoflagellate identification and ecology training with Francesca Sangiorgi.Fieldwork to Colombia (June-July 2019): During a 5 week field expedition, I joined a team collecting sediment samples from lake and peat deposits. This included using three different methods, using gravity, 'Russian' and 'Livingstone' coring techniques. These samples were taking at various environments, from Andean subparamo to lowland rainforest. Quaternary Palaeoecology (February 2019): Week long course at the National History Museum. This NERC-funded course studied the uses of pollen, diatoms, chirominids, beetles and mammals in palaeoecological studies. This course included the use of microscopy to interpret the palaeoenvironment.Learning & Teaching in Higher Education. Stage 1 (January 2019)NERC GW4+ DTP Autumn School (November 2018): This five day course focused on interdisciplinary techniques, such as using python, ecological surveying and geophysical analysis.UK-IODP MagellanPlus ECR Workshop (September 2018): This three day course focused on the uses of deep-sea drilling, and the procedure for applying and running a drilling program. Held at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton.

Funded by NERC GW4+ DTP.Priority Habitat Analysis: Quadrat analysis of calcareous grasslands, wet/dry heathlands, acidic grasslands and mires. Plant identification including trickier groups such as grasses and sedges and bryophytes. Invasive species, scrub and grazing impact data also taken, which with quadrats was used to determine whether the site is priority habitat.Ecological surveys: Designed and carried out surveys for Homoeosoma nimbella, Dune Robberfly, Coastal Silver-stiletto, Dune Chafer and Scythris empetrella. These surveys will be repeated in future years to determine population trends. Carried out surveys for Sand Lizard, Southern Damselfly, Mottled Bee-fly, Heath Tiger Beetle and Purbeck Mason Wasp as part of the Back from the Brink project.Monitoring Tenanted Land:- Water analysis: In field analysis on NT farmland and nature reserves. Analysis included conductivity/NaCl, pH, dissolved oxygen and turbidity. Samples were taken for nitrate/phosphate analysis.- Soil analysis: I used a visual assessment of soil structure analysis combined with earthworm data to assess the quality of the soil on farmland. Determination of the soil condition, type and earthworm species identification were used to develop a dataset of soil quality which will act as a baseline for future changes in soil condition.- Farm moths and butterflies: Regular moth trapping at NT farms was used to determine the habitat quality of the farm, highlighting species which can be used as future monitoring and focusing on positive indicator species. Transects were set up and run on four farms, which will be repeated in future years to monitor butterfly populations.Foodplant mapping: I carried out a study of the only Dorset site for Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary and mapped out the larval foodplant at the site. This was compared to an older map of the foodplant to assess what impacts land use changes have had. This will be used to direct future land management.

I was awarded a grant from the Butterfly Conservation European Interest Group to carry out research on European Lepidoptera. With this grant, I spent five weeks at the Ferto-Hansag and Balaton Uplands National Parks in Hungary. There were four main focuses of this research: - To monitor populations of the endangered butterflies Phengaris teleius, P. nausithous, P. alcon and Coenonympha oedippus. This was done by carrying out capture-mark-recapture at several sites containing these species.- To locate new populations of the endangered moth species Diacrisia metelkana, Arytrura musculus and Paracossulus thrips. This was done by studying their ecological preferences, and selecting sites where the ecological criteria is met, to search for the species. Searching was either done by light trapping or larval searching.- To record the microlepidoptera of the region, a group underrecorded in Hungary. While macrolepidoptera has been extensively studied in the region, microlepidoptera has been largely ignored. Species attracted to light, encountered on transects and leaf-mining species were recorded.- To carry out butterfly transects. Several transects were carried out in the Balaton Uplands, and in the areas around Vac, in numerous habitats. This research expanding my skills in grant and report writing, fieldwork planning and taxonomy skills.

Independent Research Project focusing on the dating and palaeoclimate of the Cnap Twt fissure deposit, Wales. This is an important fossil-bearing fissure deposit on unknown Mesozoic age. By carrying out a palynological survey of this fissure deposit, and creating a nearby reference section, it was possible to date this fissure deposit more accurately. This project involved carrying out labwork in both wet geochemistry (total organic carbon) and palynological preparation laboratories, fieldwork to collect samples, and microscopy. Microscopy involved identification of a range of taxa, including pollen, spores and dinoflagellates.This project was partnered with the University of Bristol and the National History Museum.

Having been chosen as a student ambassador for the Ocean and Earth Science department, I worked at UCAS and university open days. This position of responsibility has required honesty, time management and to develop my interpersonal and communication skills. This includes conveying information about multiple topics and assisting in practical sessions, including using microscopy to look at thin sections.

I was entrusted with several roles of responsibility, as I had to open & close the premises and handle money. There were times where I had to work under pressure, and this includes cases where I had to make decisions without the help of management. As this was working in retail, I had to demonstrate high levels of interpersonal communication and costumer relations.