Doing a PhD in Earth Sciences, with Louisa Brotherson
In this episode, I chat with fellow ACRC member Louisa Brotherson, who is studying for a PhD in Earth Sciences at the University of Liverpool. During our conversation, Louisa explains her research area, which is focused on better understanding earthquakes, and shares her experiences of working in a (dry) lab. We discuss the co-curricular activities Louisa has been involved with during her time at university, which has involved visits to Italy, Germany and Sweden. We also talk about her recent internship with The Royal Society, and how the skills you develop during your PhD can be transferred outside of academia. We finish the episode by considering some of the challenges doctoral students may face when deciding between academia and industry, and Louisa provides great advice on how to find your tribe during this journey. Guest bio Louisa Brotherson is a PhD researcher at the University of Liverpool. Funded by NERC through the Manchester-Liverpool Doctoral Training Partnership, her project is entitled: “Journey to the Centre of the Earthquake: how does damage affect earthquake source properties and radiated wavefields?” In her work, she focusses on bringing together laboratory frictional experiments with earthquake seismology to understand how earthquakes are generated. Using numerical modelling, she aims to understand how earthquakes work on the small-scale using high pressure frictional experiments by measuring seismic waves radiating from tiny, lab-generated earthquakes (stick-slip) which are generated during frictional sliding. Louisa completed her MGeophys, BSc Geophysical Sciences degree at the University of Leeds. During her year abroad at Western University, Canada, she developed an interest in seismic hazard research, leading her to obtain a PhD position. A DAAD RISE scholar, she completed a three-month research project on seismic wave propagation during underground tunnelling advancement at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany. Outside her research, Louisa is currently completing a three-month UKRI Science Policy internship at the Royal Society, London. Contributing to the Data and Research and Innovation teams, she uses her research experience to support projects related to COVID-19 response, misinformation and innovation. Outside of work, she enjoys strength training and baking. You can follow Louisa on Twitter (@louisa_geo) for updates. Host bio Nina Higson-Sweeney is a first-year PhD student in the Department of Psychology at the University of Bath. Her PhD is funded by the ESRC through the South West Doctoral Training Partnership, and she is using mixed methods to explore the symptom of fatigue within adolescent depression. Prior to her PhD, Nina completed a BSc in Psychology and a MSc Health Psychology at the University of the West of England. Nina has contributed to several peer-reviewed journal articles throughout her degrees, exploring topics such as depression, CFS/ME, HIV, and loneliness and mental health in children and young people. You can follow her on Twitter (@n_higsonsweeney) and ResearchGate. Links to organisations If you want to check out the African-Caribbean Research Collective, you can join us here. If you are interested in learning about The Royal Society where Louisa just finished her internship, you can find out more here. Credits Funding for this podcast is provided by the South West Doctoral Training Partnership (@_SWDTP on Twitter). Cover art is by the talented Hannah Balogun (@hannah_balogun on Instagram). Intro music is ‘I Was Messed Up (Instrumental Version)’ by Ella Faye, from Epidemic Sound. Outro music is ‘Stereo (Instrumental Version)’ by Ella Faye, from Epidemic Sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.