Meet the Team
The core work of the project was carried out by the SAMHE team, led by Dr Henry Burridge and Professor Sarah West. It was supported by Steering Committee and Executive Board members, and an Engagement Panel of key stakeholders, who helped to shape the project's engagement and dissemination activities.
SAMHE Team
Henry Burridge
Project lead, Web App and data analysis development
Institution:
Imperial College London
Job Title:
Senior Lecturer in Fluid Mechanics
School Subjects:
Maths, Further Maths, Additonal Further Maths & Design Technology
What I studied at University:
Mechanical Engineering
What advice would I give?:
Learn to love your inner geek - science and maths helps to shape the world around us; if you happen to be good at these subjects be proud and enjoy it! Lastly, never be afraid to spend time doing something that you are not sure where or what it might lead to - these can be the most enjoyable avenues to explore...
Paul Linden
Principal Investigator
Institution:
University of Cambridge
Job Title:
Professor of Mathematics
School Subjects:
Maths, Physics, Chemistry
What I studied at University:
Mathematics
What advice would I give?:
Follow your dream
Sarah West
Leading schools engagement
Institution:
Stockholm Environment Institute, University of York
Job Title:
Director and Senior Research Fellow
School Subjects:
Geography, Biology, Maths, Chemistry
What I studied at University:
Geography (Physical and Human) (BA), Biodiversity and Conservation (MSc) and then Environmental Education (PhD)
What advice would I give?:
A 'portfolio career' is a thing - do what you love doing, take opportunities that excite you as they come up and don't worry too much about where you are heading. If you do take this advice though, practice saying No a lot - people will see your enthusiasm and ask you to do lots of things, say No to things you aren't that interested in or don't have time to do.
Victoria Beale
Communications lead
Institution:
Stockholm Environment Institute, University of York
Job Title:
Communications Specialist
School Subjects:
Maths, Further Maths, Biology & Chemistry
What I studied at University:
Natural Sciences and then Wildlife Management
What advice would I give?:
You don't have to choose a career path and stick to it! I have worked as an ornithologist, environmental expert for churches, research network facilitator, ethics administrator... I picked up lots of transferable skills and am currently enjoying working in communications. What next? Who knows!
Rhys Archer
Citizen Science researcher/ Resources for Schools
Institution:
Stockholm Environment Institute, University of York
Job Title:
Research Fellow
School Subjects:
Maths, Physics, Textiles, English Literature
What I studied at University:
Materials Science and Engineering
What advice would I give?:
Don't ignore your side hustle, there are always ways to combine your day job and side hustle to do what suits your interests and skills
Sam Bland
Web App and data analysis development
Institution:
Stockholm Environment Institute, University of York
Job Title:
Software Developer
School Subjects:
Maths, Physics, Fine Art
What I studied at University:
Architecture & Urban Modelling
What advice would I give?:
Get stuck into open source projects as this is the easiest and most rewarding way to gain useful software experience. Also time to explore all your interests before focusing solely on coding.
Mike Simmons
Software Developer
Job Title:
Software Developer
Joshua Finneran
Web App and data analysis development
Institution:
University of Cambridge
Job Title:
Research Associate
School Subjects:
Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry
What I studied at University:
Mechanical Engineering
Samuel Wood
Web App and data analysis development
Institution:
Imperial College London
Job Title:
Research Associate
School Subjects:
Chemistry, biology, maths and english
What I studied at University:
Chemical engineering, and Mechanical engineering for my Phd
Carolanne Vouriot
Web App and data analysis tool development
Institution:
University of Sheffield
Job Title:
Lecturer in Building Physics
School Subjects:
Everything from Maths and Physics to Philosophy and French literature (I went to school in France!)
What I studied at University:
Aeronautical Engineering
What advice would I give?:
There's many 'perfect' jobs out there for you. If something doesn't work out, it doesn't mean that you'll never be able to find a career that you enjoy.
Claudia Fernanda Castro Faccetti
Data visualisation
Institution:
Visiting researcher at the University of Leeds
Job Title:
Research Associate
School Subjects:
Everything (I went to a Colombian school)
What I studied at University:
Civil Engineering (BEng), and then Water, Sanitation and Health Engineering (MSc)
What advice would I give?:
To not be afraid of learning new things that interest you, even when they may not seem useful at the moment. Each one of us has a unique set of skills and every one of them will be useful in one way or another!
School Subjects:
Psychology, Sociology, English Literature, Business Studies
What I studied at University:
Psychology and Criminology
What advice would I give?:
Take time to explore all of psychology - it's such a broad and varied topic and can lead to so many different career opportunities. You don't necessarily need to be wedded to your choices in psychology at university - do what you think looks interesting and exciting and job opportunities will come!
Natalie Williams
Behavioural science
Institution:
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
Job Title:
Research Fellow
School Subjects:
English, Maths, Chemistry, Psychology, Drama studies
What I studied at University:
Psychology BSc, Mental health and wellbeing MSc and a PhD in Hearing and quality of life
Holly Carter
Behavioural science
Institution:
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
Job Title:
Research Fellow
Douglas Wang
Software developer
Institution:
Stockholm Environment Institute, University of York
Job Title:
Software developer
School Subjects:
Information Technology
Roderic Jones
Sensor network development and data analysis
Institution:
University of Cambridge
Job Title:
Professor of Atmospheric Science
Prashant Kumar
Insights from in-school deep-dive investigations, intervention case studies and data analysis
Institution:
University of Surrey
Job Title:
Associate Dean (International), Professor and Chair in Air Quality and Health; Founding Director, Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE)
School Subjects:
Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Science
What I studied at University:
Environmental Engineering (Air Pollution Modelling)
Lia Chatzidiakou
Measurements and analysis
Institution:
University of Cambridge
Job Title:
Research Associate
School Subjects:
Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Philosophy, Fine Art
What I studied at University:
Architectural Engineering (BSc, MSc) and Environmental Engineering (MSc), Indoor Air Quality (PhD)
Mark Winterbottom
Chair of the Engagement Panel
Institution:
Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge
Job Title:
Professor of Education
School Subjects:
Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths
What I studied at University:
Biological Sciences
What advice would I give?:
Study the subject you enjoy at University, and then study for a PGCE in that subject before you become a teacher.
Hannah Edwards
Project administration
Institution:
University of Cambridge
Job Title:
Air Pollution Project Administrator
School Subjects:
Politics
What I studied at University:
International Development
Kat Roberts
Project administration
Institution:
Imperial College London/University of Cambridge
Job Title:
Research Associate
School Subjects:
Geography, Maths, Chemistry
What I studied at University:
Environmental Science
What advice would I give?:
I have always been interested in the environment but didn't specifically know what are I wanted to study after school. My A-levels didn't go as well as I'd hoped but I was very lucky to be accepted onto a course at the University of Leeds which opened up many doors to me. I would say making connections wherever you can is sometimes an important step in finding a career you love and study hard to get the qualifications you need. Sign up to as many of the professional networks out there to broaden your knowledge and keep up to date with the latest news.
Elizabeth Carper
Facilitating Schools Engagement
Institution:
Stockholm Environment Institute, University of York
Job Title:
Project Administrator
School Subjects:
Environmental Science and Policy, Geography, Human Geography
What I studied at University:
Environmental Science and Policy
What advice would I give?:
Find something you're passionate about and keep at it. We need passionate people in this field! And always keep learning
Sarkawt Hama
Deep-dive school interventions and data analysis
Institution:
University of Surrey
Job Title:
Research fellow
School Subjects:
Air pollution
What I studied at University:
Chemistry/Environmental chemistry
Alice Handy
Web App, data analysis development and champions work
Institution:
Imperial College London
Job Title:
Research fellow
School Subjects:
Maths, Physics, Geography, Chemistry
What I studied at University:
Engineering - a mix of fluid mechanics and environmental engineering
What advice would I give?:
Give things a go! Often the most enjoyable and interesting projects are the ones you least expect.
Steering Committee and Executive Board members
Ben Barratt
Chair of the Executive Board
Institution:
Imperial College London
Job Title:
Reader in Environmental Exposures and Public Health
School Subjects:
Maths, Physics, Chemistry
What I studied at University:
Physics and Meteorology (I wanted to be a weatherman, but the Met Office didn't agree!)
Christopher Pain
Executive Board
Institution:
Imperial College London
Job Title:
Professor of Engineering
Mark Mon-Williams
Executive Board
Institution:
University of Leeds; Wolfson Centre of Applied Education Research
Job Title:
Professor of Psychology
Cath Noakes
Steering Committee
Institution:
University of Leeds
Job Title:
Professor of Environmental Engineering for Buildings
School Subjects:
Physics, Maths, Chemistry & Music. I never studied biology (even at GCSE) which is ironic as most of my research focuses on engineering control of infection!
What I studied at University:
Mathematical Engineering (which is Mechanical Engineering with a bit of extra maths). I did my PhD in computational fluid dynamics modelling industrial coating processes.
What advice would I give?:
Be open to opportunities and ideas, and listen to the perspectives of different people. I went into engineering thinking that I would end up working in a mechanical engineering design role in industry. But a chance opportunity to work on a project on using UV light to disinfect microorganisms in air got me working in a totally new area and interacting with people from lots of different disciplines. I really enjoy working on problems that need input from a range of different perspectives and it makes me think about my own expertise in a different way.
Heather King
Steering Committee
Institution:
Kings College London
Job Title:
Professor in Science Education
School Subjects:
Biology, Chemistry, Geography
What I studied at University:
Human Sciences, and then Science Communication
Katie Daniel
Steering Committee
Institution:
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
Job Title:
Deputy Director, Partnerships
School Subjects:
Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics
What I studied at University:
Chemistry
What advice would I give?:
Working at UKRI, and the constituent Councils, is perfect for anyone who loves science but wants to move away from undertaking research themselves. You can continue to learn about really exciting research and make the case for funding new research programmes. My only advice would be to do what you love and gain qualifications in those fields, then apply to work at UKRI! As we cover everything from arts and humanities, through to engineering and physical sciences, as well as working with business, there are many opportunities to contribute to making the UK a great place to do science.
Mariam Orme
Steering Committee
Institution:
Department for Education
Job Title:
Head of Science Team
School Subjects:
Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics
What I studied at University:
Natural sciences, focusing on Molecular Biology
What advice would I give?:
Don’t ever worry that you have to choose a single career path and stick to it for the rest of your life: it’s never too late to change careers! And if you decide to join the Civil Service, it gives great opportunities to experience lots of different areas of work.
Owen Connick
Steering Committee
Institution:
Carrier Corporation
Job Title:
Strategic Leader, Building Sustainability
Pia Hardelid
Steering Committee
Institution:
University College London
Job Title:
Associate Professor
Sani Dimitroulopoulou
Steering Committee
Institution:
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
Job Title:
Principal Environmental Public Health Scientist – Indoor Environments
Verity Cook
Steering Committee
Institution:
Department for Education
Job Title:
Scientific Evidence Advisor
What I studied at University:
Biological Sciences (BSc) and then Molecular Haematology (PhD)
What advice would I give?:
I worked in industry in pharmaceutical development before coming to work in the government. Academia, Industry and Government have very different routes of entry, progression, and opportunities. The civil service offers great training and support for those interested in a career in the civil service.