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Geology PhD student
🌍 researching the copper supply chain
student life | scicomm | just transition advocate
⚒️“if it's not grown, it's mined"⚒️

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Today, I had the privilege of representing the Geological Society of London in the House of Commons as part of an event called Voice of the Future.

Voice of the Future provides an opportunity for young scientists and early career researchers to act as a select committee and ask MPs questions about areas they are passionate about.

I was lucky to have been selected to ask 2 questions; one about what the UK government can do to help build the robust geoscience workforce we need to tackle current and future geo related issues and my other question asked what steps the UK government is taking to ensure that the critical and strategic minerals we need for the energy transition are sourced ethically and sustainably.

It was really interesting to see the intersection between science and policy as well as meet ministers and early career researchers in completely different fields. One of the speakers mentioned how as (young) scientists, regardless of political positions, we should endeavour to make our science accessible and contribute to wider society. This really highlighted the importance of science communication to me and how it can also play a role in policy.

(Unfortunately, photos weren't allowed in most of the building so this is the best I can do haha)

Thank you to the @geolsoc for such an amazing opportunity and the Royal Society of Biology for organizing this event.

#science #sciencecommunication #scicomm #blackwomaninstem #academic #policymaking #freshgraduate #vof2024 by @geoscientiff

Idk why I thought November had 31 days. Anyways, I forgot October so instead of being a perfectionist, I decided to just merge them together because in all honesty October was not a great month..unwanted visitors in the form of wasps being the main problem!😭 icl the regretting doing a PhD phase really does sneak up on you in 2nd year...but ups and downs are normal so I try to think of all the wonderful opportunities I've been exposed to and skills I've learnt because of this degree.

☕ Got accepted into an internship that I applied to in September. I actually can't believe it. Not even sure what else I can say about it right now but I'm so beyond thrilled. And also proud, if you knew the bs that was going on behind the scenes (wasps included, and will talk about everything else one day) you know that this was a real uphill battle haha

☕ TARGET CDT had their second training week. I really enjoyed it as I got to meet the second cohort students as well as continuing to learn more about the mining industry. It was a jam packed and mentally stimulating week, excited for the next one.

☕ I found a new hobby and community through a trading card game called Riftbound. So far I'm really enjoying the game. It came out the end of October so it's been nice to be with a game from the beginning as opposed to catching up with players that have been playing the same card game for years or decades. Despite losing most of the time, it's a nice break from PhD stuff and just general life stress.

Crazy to think December is tomorrow by @geoscientiff

Can't believe it's October so soon...it'll be new year's before we know it 😭 despite that, September remains the best month of the year 🫶🏾

🎉 Celebrated my birthday which was the highlight of this month. Did quite a few things but watching the lion king in theatres then pulling a god pack in ptcg when I got home (iykyk) honestly led to an incredibly memorable day. Having a break from uni and spending time with loved ones most of the month was great.

🎉 Started a new hobby, learning to play Pokémon tcg and I'm also enjoying collecting cards

🎉 Trying not to panic about being a 2nd year student now!

I had the rest of my annual leave this month before it resets so icl there isn't much to reflect on besides being grateful for life rn 😂 (corny music choice but I couldn't resist!) by @geoscientiff

Have to be more straight to the point for this post because I'm in Spain with limited data but wow august has been a transformative month. I started the month of holiday leave, then needed to pack and move to new accommodation, then attended a short course training in Bristol (see previous post for more details if interested!) and now I'm in the south of Spain on a fieldtrip. It's moments like these I feel so privileged and blessed to be able to access these opportunities, as well as encouraged that changing fields was a great choice. Can't wait to post more about what I got up to in Spain when I get back! by @geoscientiff

$Just returned from a workshop in Bristol. Places for this were competitive and I'm so glad my application was successful. I learnt so much about x-ray microanalysis...still digesting the sheer amount of information I've been exposed to. We learnt about the theory of SEM-EDS (Scanning Electron Microscopy - Electron Dispersive Spectroscopy) and EPMA (Electron Probe Micro Analysis), from the mechanics down to even the quantum chemistry happening inside the system. We also had demonstrations by the academics leading the workshop that allowed us to see the two pieces of equipment in action. There was a huge emphasis on system settings selection and errors in order to get the best results. This workshop was part 1 of the course, the second part we get to go to a uni and use their facilities for our own project to get hands on training. It was also great to see old friends and make new ones! Bristol will hold a special place in my heart (despite how exhausting the hills were 😭) Slide 1 - In front of Willis memorial building where Bristol's earth science department is 2 - Introduction Slide to work on day 1 3 - Wallace & Gromit art sculpture, there's are scattered throughout the city and have different patterns on them 4 - Posing in front of the SEM-EDS 5 - Group Dinner, we went to a place called Pizza on the Park. I got a buratta as my starter as I've never had that before (and I wasn't paying 🤭) 6 - Courtyard of the Earth Science Department... absolutely stunning! 7 - Random sign I saw on a walk, thought it was cool. Bristol definitely has a friendlier vibe (minus that one bus driver that was a [redacted] for no reason) compared to other cities I've been to. 8 - Part of a slide showing diffraction during one of the talks, loved how the academic added music 😂 9 - Inside an SEM-EDS detector. In the background is the older type of detector, and in the foreground in the modern one that uses semiconductors (which I used to work on!) 10 - Photo of University Chellenge on TV from my hotel room. Bristol on when I'm in Bristol haha - were a random few coincidences on this trip that felt like a positive sign. 11 - Stunning view from a hill, photo didn't do it justice! by @geoscientiff$

July has been a transformative month in the best way possible. I'm actually on leave right now so going to keep it very short as I'm really trying not to do anything PhD related on my break.

🌇Main highlight was my probation meeting! It consumed so much mental space for months as I prepared for it. So SO glad it's over (for now)!

🌇 Now that I'm off for a few weeks and not haunted by a probation meeting deadline, I've had time to meet old friends in person this month across the country and it has been so rejuvenating. Love you all sm🥰

🌇 FINALLY got some training on XRF under my belt. And also have more training planned later in August. But that's something for future me to think about, right now I'm prioritising ✨ rest ✨ by @geoscientiff

Had the privilege of travelling to Birmingham this weekend to record a podcast episode for Blesst CIC. Blesst is an organisation based in Birmingham that is community orientated and works to empower young people and their families.

This was my first time being on a podcast and doing something like this. I was beyond nervous before, during and even after recording but my motto this year is to push myself to go out of comfort zone so I gave it a go despite the nerves. I was asked about climate justice, my path into mining, life as a PhD student and my experience as a black woman in mining and in science generally.

Blesst is doing amazing work and I am humbled to have been able to contribute a small part to this ongoing project about climate justice. by @geoscientiff

This heatwave is frying me 😭 keeping it short because I have a heat induced headache lol

☀️ Probation report done! Feels so good to have something I've spent weeks working on DONE. This week will be the first weekend off I've had all month😭

☀️ Next year accommodation sorted! The trials and tribulations to find a place I liked AND could afford wow 😭😭😭 what I have noticed and appreciated is that the student housing market in Leicester is soooo much calmer compared to York, it was like the hunger games trying to find a place back then.

☀️Attended my first ever training week with my CDT! It was so informative and interesting. It was so lovely to meet everyone in my cohort. The week was definitely the highlight of my month! by @geoscientiff

May flew by! Can't believe the summer months start tomorrow!

💐 Spent some time at home and felt a bit more energised. Still working on overcoming procrastination but have made progress

💐 Almost finished with my probation review report which isn't due until the end of June! Can't believe I've not left a piece of work for the last minute...who am I 🫣 still have so much finishing touches, referencing and formatting to do...fun haha

💐very silly but I opened a blind box (not popmart) for the first time, and got the character I wanted. I understand how people get addicted now 😂

Short and sweet this month since I was so pooped from working on my report and almost forgot to type this month's reflections. Also I am promising myself to post something new in June 😤 by @geoscientiff

April was overall a really good month. I think I'm starting to find the work-live balance.

🌸 A major obstacle with my research has been cleared. It was something I had absolutely no control over but I couldn't really get started on lab work or get relevant data or start planning my fieldwork until it was sorted out. It's taken 7 months which is frustrating, but I'm glad to finally have that delay be over.

🌸 Took part in an outreach video with the Geological Society earlier month. It's an interview format to encourage young people to consider mining as a career. It will be interesting to see when it comes out...probably won't post it on here as I'd feel too self conscious. But I'm happy I pushed myself to take part and proud I overcame insecurity and imposter syndrome.

🌸 Attended two inspirational talks. One by a fireside chat by a female mining exec hosted by Women In Mining and another was my supervisors inaugural professor lecture! Both were amazing events that I learnt a lot from. by @geoscientiff

I've never been so grateful daylight saving time and warmer weather.

🍃Still not much progress in lab work...not much I can do as the situation is out of my hands. Got some reading done at least, but still fighting the spirit of procrastination daily 😭

🍃Spoke on a panel for Women In Mining UK. Every year they have summer intership opportunities available with companies to help give recent graduates relevant experience to improve career trajectories. I was a successful applicant last year and was invited to talk about my experience as a 2024 intern to hopeful applicants. It was nice to see how many women are really considering mining as a career (feel free to DM if you're considering applying this year or in the future).

🍃Making new friends within the department!

It's crazy to think this time last year I was still in disbelief about receiving the offer of my PhD, and here I am typing this monthly update on my phone a year later. I feel really blessed and proud of how far I've come, but also in some ways feel like I can be doing more. It's a weird space to be in but I think that's normal.

Anyways, looking forward to taking time off in April more than anything else. Maybe it will be the month I post the stuff I keep putting off haha by @geoscientiff

Blessed to have spent international woman's day with other amazing black female scientists ❤️ by @geoscientiff

Tiffany

@geoscientiff