• Question: why and what got you into your fields and what is your favourite thing in your field?

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      Asked by 927catf42 to John, Laura, Luke, Rob, Ruth on 17 Jun 2016. This question was also asked by wilf, Pickleprincess.
      • Photo: Laura Finney

        Laura Finney answered on 17 Jun 2016:

        I got into my field as I was studying chemistry and realised that I loved being the lab, so wanted to do a PhD. Then, when I started thinking about exactly what I wanted to do, I decided I wanted to do something which was good for the world and do my bit to try and save it and make it better.
        So I went into my project which is aimed at making chemistry nicer for the environment, and using less fossil fuels.

        My favourite thing is that I am always learning. I am the person making the discoveries and it rarely gets boring.

      • Photo: Luke Williams

        Luke Williams answered on 19 Jun 2016:

        I kind of wander a bit. I suppose I quite liked my current field based upon some work that I did at my undergraduate degree, but the link is pretty weak.

        I ended up with the project I was doing when I was offered it based upon my background. I had already rejected continuing with either of my previous projects and my director of studies let me know that my current project was available, so I took it up instead.

        My favourite thing about my field is that I define it however I wish. I take some biology, some chemistry (though… not too much!), some engineering, some sustainability, and a pinch of whatever else comes to mind. I ended up part of four departments, two research centres and several lab groups. In the early part of my PhD I also attended quite a few seminars, typically biology and chemistry as well as my research centres’ ones. However, I was frequently invited to learn about all kinds of things, perspectives and opinions. Although I cannot point them out or their influence, I have no doubt that attending such a wide range of events and lectures helped my research.

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