I am a palaeoclimate scientist, which means I study the past to understand how we got to where we are now and what that means for our future. I have worked on sub-Antarctic islands and in Antarctica, Tasmania, New Zealand, and southern South America – anywhere cold, windy, and often wet. I study diatoms in layers of mud at the bottom of lakes. Diatoms are tiny, microscopic algae made of silica. They are very sensitive to their environment, respond quickly to changes, and can be preserved for thousands of years. By studying how the types of diatoms change in layers of mud, we can work out what our climate and the unique ecosystems of these remote places were like in the past.
Research keyword/s: Paleoclimatology
About the BEAKER STREET ROVING SCIENTIST PROGRAM
Each August, hundreds of Roving Scientists descend upon Hobart, filling up pubs and chatting to strangers as part of Beaker Street Festival. Discover a new world down the lens of microscope, and joining the least-boring bar conversations you’ve ever heard and these free (the chats – not the drinks) events.
For Scientists, Beaker Street’s Roving Scientist Program offers an excellent outreach, professional development, and networking opportunity. It’s the nerdiest and funnest way to share your research with the public, expand your network, and be inspired by leaders in all sectors of science and science communication.
