Name: Charlotte Stapleton 

Institution: Wolfson Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratories, University of York 

PhD Project title: Development of fast ozone detectors for the measurement of ozone fluxes from ship and airborne platforms 

What is your background?

I am a second year PhD student at the Wolfson Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratories (WACL), University of York and I am funded by the NERC Panorama DTP. My current research focuses on ozone deposition to the ocean surface and investigating this predominantly through field observations and laboratory experiments. Previously, I did my undergraduate degree in Chemistry (MChem) at the University of York, and spent my final year abroad where I carried out my Masters research project. During this time I was based at the Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR) at the University of Helsinki, Finland.

My Masters research project was focused on developing a cloud condensation nuclei parameterisation for Värriö SMEAR I research station in Northern Finland. This project was entirely data analysis based (although I was lucky enough to visit the research station several times – pictured below), and it sat more in the aerosol physics field which was new to me at the time. My PhD project fits most closely to atmospheric chemistry/air-sea exchange so although my Masters and PhD research are broadly atmospheric science, at the time of applying, I didn’t have specific knowledge or experience in my PhD field. My PhD project really appealed to me as it was an opportunity to develop a wide variety of skills, enabling me to pursue my drive for a research career in atmospheric sciences, whilst working within a research team that would encourage my development. I am the first in my family to attend University and am from a lower socioeconomic background, which has made certain processes more difficult to navigate, but I am grateful for the support which has enabled me to do what I do now.   

Tell us about your project and the area of environmental science are you most excited about?

My PhD project investigates ozone deposition to the ocean surface and aims to better understand the drivers of this process. Tropospheric ozone is a secondary air pollutant and significant climate gas that is harmful to human health and ecosystems, and alters the oxidative capacity of the atmosphere. Dry deposition of ozone to the ocean surface accounts for approximately one third of the total global dry deposition, but this process has a high degree of uncertainty.

In part, this is due to a lack of direct field measurements, particularly those in open ocean environments which are most representative of the Earth’s surface. In my PhD, I have deployed instruments onboard research cruises to measure ozone deposition to the open ocean using the eddy covariance technique. Ozone deposition is controlled by physical processes as well as chemical reactions, and considerably more work is required to explain the field observations. In particular, the role of organics such as fatty acid surfactants on ozone deposition is not very well understood, and I am currently carrying out some laboratory experiments to probe this further. At the centre of work in this field remains the goal to utilise these measurements to inform global climate models, enabling a more accurate representation of the tropospheric ozone budget.

I am very grateful that through this research project I have had the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills including measurements in the field, present at international conferences, and initiate collaborations with internationally renowned research groups. My current research interests lie in the air-sea exchange of atmospheric trace gases and the measurement and modelling of these. This area of research aims to understand the role that oceans play in atmospheric processing – which is likely to be affected by climate change, and I feel very lucky to work within this community.

Why did you decide to enter the atmospheric/environmental sector?

When applying to University for my undergraduate degree, my decision was heavily informed by York having the largest atmospheric chemistry facilities in the UK. Throughout my degree I was lucky enough to undertake two summer internships: one investigating the long term trends of atmospheric pollutants at the Cape Verde Atmospheric Observatory, and the other researching the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on air quality in Europe. It was during this time that I became incredibly focused on a research career in this field. Although my Masters year abroad was challenging, I remained highly motivated and excited by the research that I was doing and the experience opened my eyes to the different avenues a career in this field could offer.

What does equity, diversity and inclusion mean to you?

It is so important to create a space where everyone feels comfortable to be themselves and diversity in the workplace is key to cultivating creative and innovative research ideas. It is evident that progress in this area has been made over the years, but I think Universities need to continue to invest in systems that are robust and advanced enough to support everyone on their journey. I believe that we all have a responsibility to challenge inappropriate behaviours, discrimination, and biases and that Universities need to create a culture where people feel comfortable to report this.

Within the Department of Chemistry at York, I am part of the STEMMing the Leaky Pipeline group where the ‘leaky pipeline’ refers to the progressive loss of capable women and individuals from minoritised groups from senior roles in the STEM discipline. The group aims to provide a community where we can share experiences and raise awareness of the issues that can cause the leaky pipeline effect and it has been really nice to work alongside people striving towards the same goals.

What are your hopes for future PhD students?  

I would like to see more PhD students get the opportunity to carry out a placement as part of their studentship. Whether that is at a different research group abroad, in industry, or in science policy, I think it is so valuable to gain experience and perspective outside of your specific research project. I also hope that Universities work to provide better mental health support for PhD students, and that PhD students work within a space where they feel empowered to contribute their voice and opinion on any issues that affect them.

Any tips for those interested in applying for PhDs?   

I think that the PhD project and the supervisor/research group are equally important when thinking about applying for a PhD! It is important that you are highly motivated by your research area as 3-4 years is a considerable amount of time to spend on the project, and it should be a really exciting time for you. The culture of the research group has a significant impact on your experience, and you want to be in a place where your ideas are valued and respected, so take any opportunities to speak to others in the research group when applying. Also, you are not expected to have high level or specific knowledge in the research area you are applying to. Curiosity, enthusiasm, and genuine excitement, as well as being able to highlight your transferrable skills in an interview are by far the most important things.

Name: Daniel Colson

Institution: River Basins Processes and Management, School of Geography, University of Leeds

 PhD Project title: Multi-decadal changes in open-water areas on northern peatlands

What is your background?

I’m a final year PhD student within the School of Geography, studying northern peatland environments. Prior to my current studies, I worked for the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) as an Earth Observation Specialist, working with geospatial and remote sensing data across the UK and abroad.

Tell us about your project and the area of environmental science are you most excited about?

Peatlands are a type of wetland ecosystem characterised by an abundance of soil organic matter that accumulates in permanently waterlogged conditions. Worldwide, peatlands cover less than 3% of the land surface, with the largest concentrations in the northern hemisphere, particularly in mid- and high-latitude areas (north of 45 °N) of Canada, Scandinavia, and Western Siberia. Despite their limited global cover, peatlands play an important role in the global carbon cycle. My research focuses on the understanding of these landscapes across scales, from the sub-metre to the tens of kilometres. Using a combination of Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV), airborne and satellite data, I map and explore peatland environments. The area of environmental science I am most excited about comes from the plethora of open data available and the opportunities this presents to a global audience.

Was having environmental science at the core of your PhD project important to you?

I am fascinated by climate change and its effects on the natural environment, particularly peatland landscapes. Peatlands play a vital role in carbon sequestration and storage, alongside vital ecosystem services. Understanding and supporting these landscapes are integral to future climate work, supporting stakeholders, citizens, and the wider UK transition to net zero.

Why did you decide to enter the environmental sector?

My love for geography, and subsequently the environment, was inspired by passionate teachers throughout my time at school, fostered by their ability to sell rainy trips to the Lake District! I completed an undergraduate degree in Geography and a Masters in Remote Sensing and GIS at Aberystwyth University. Subsequently, I worked for several years as an Earth Observation Specialist, which gave me the chance to see the world from a whole new perspective. I had known for a few years that I wanted to pursue a PhD, but wanted to take a break from academia. I saw a number of projects at Leeds that fascinated myself and, after contacting the supervisory team and PANORAMA, I knew it was somewhere I could fit in and grow.

What does equity, diversity and inclusion in environmental science mean to you?

Equity, diversity and inclusion is incredibly important, particularly in the field of environmental science where this hasn’t always been the case. I have seen a number of improvements across my time in the field, and look forward to the future! It’s important that everyone has equitable access to the same opportunities.

What are your hopes for future PhD students?

I think it’s incredibly important that PhD students are given credit, both financially and reputationally, for the work they conduct and how important they are to having active and social lab and office environments. Without PhD students, there is no future of academia! Myself, and others within the department and wider university, have taken breaks from academia for careers before returning to study for PhDs. The opportunity for more people to gain an idea of what independent research is like is incredibly important, as 4 years is a long commitment for someone.