We are delighted to welcome four new students to the Scottish research team for 2023/24. Seth and Kate will be based up at Scottish Demonstration Farm (Auchnerran) and Rachael and Isabella will be working in our Lowland Research team alongside Fiona Torrance. Learn a little bit more about each of our students and what they hope to achieve with their time at GWCT.
I am a student at the university of Nottingham who is studying environmental science, I like to think of myself as an adventurous, laid-back individual with a keen interest in all things outdoors! I am lucky enough to be on a placement with the GWCT for a year, where I am working as a field research assistant for the GWSDF aka Auchnerran, the Scottish demonstration farm. This is located all the way up in the Cairngorms NP, one of the few remaining strongholds for a variety of species in mainland UK.
In terms of my favourite thing about the placement, it has to be a combination of the location, fieldwork and the people I work with. Being out on my feet all day in stunningly remote areas, helping with genuinely fun and interesting fieldwork, with some especially cool, likeminded people is amazing, but being able to do it as a job is a dream come true.
I would say my interests lie in ecology and conservation, specifically topics like population dynamics, community ecology and conservation biology. Since being on placement I have learnt (somewhat) about the complexities of land management up in Scotland and the myriad of views people have regarding what’s right and what’s wrong, unsurprisingly it is very subjective. I am very fascinated by this though as I believe it underpins the outcome of our efforts and as such requires some much-needed attention.
My interests are directly linked to the research we do at Auchnerran. The main goals on the farm are to understand the impact farming has on the wildlife present, and to demonstrate how sustainable and profitable farming can go hand in hand with maintaining and improving species richness and abundance. There is also a unique opportunity here to study some of the locally abundant but nationally rare species, with a focus being on wading birds.
Rachael
Hi, I’m Rachael, I’m studying ecology and wildlife conservation at Reading University and I’m one of students currently on placement with the Scottish Lowlands Research team at GWCT.
My interest in nature and the environment came through travelling and my first solo trip backpacking across Canada where I saw some amazing wildlife. In my spare time I like to keep active, I’m a keen hiker so I'm really looking forward to exploring Scotland’s beautiful landscape while I’m here. I’m also a big cricket and rugby fan, as well as playing ultimate frisbee at university.
During my placement I’m excited to contribute to the PepsiCo project, which is looking at farming arable biodiversity. This will involve completing habitat maps and monitoring various species including. I feel my placement will be a good opportunity to practice my surveying skills, I have an interest in farmland birds but I’m also looking forward to working on other species such as mountain hares and bumblebees that I’m less familiar with.
Another reason I chose a placement with GWCT is the importance of using research to influence policy and one of my aims during my placement is to gain a better understanding of current industry issues, future directions and new policy schemes. Linked to this, is the current trials we are doing with farmers to provide feedback on biodiversity assessments as part of the new Scottish agri-environmental schemes, which has been very interesting to learn about.
Overall, I’m keen to make the most of the opportunities that arise during my time at GWCT and develop a range of skills to benefit my future career.
Kate
Hi, I’m Kate and I am currently on placement with the GWCT working on Auchnerran, the Scottish Demonstration Farm on their research team. I am studying Wildlife Conservation and Environmental Management at Harper Adams University. Taking a placement year is mandatory at Harper Adams and is one of the reasons I chose to study there as practical skills are necessary when doing any conservation work. In my spare time I enjoy hiking, wild swimming, photography, reading and a range of other, slightly peculiar hobbies.
So far, my favourite part of the placement has been seeing the variety of wildlife that you don’t often get to see elsewhere. I am also keen to be part of the research that is taking place at Auchnerran and work with folks who are professionals in the field.
My focus within conservation is entomology, agroecology and policy. Auchnerran is the ideal place for me to complete my placement as it is demonstrating that farming and nature can work together whilst also turning a profit which is key to the future of farming.
Isabella
I’m Isabella, a placement student working with the Lowlands Research team with the GWCT in Scotland. I have been interested in nature for as long as I can remember, from Blue Planet to pond dipping and have always dreaded being stuck in an office. Now I’m working with wildlife, outside almost every day and learning new skills constantly. Outside of work I love playing my instruments (flute, piccolo, saxophone), swimming in the sea, knitting, dancing, hiking, writing, and singing.
I am studying Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology at the University of Plymouth. At this point everyone asks: ‘why did you choose a farmland ecology placement when it has nothing to do with the ocean?’ Firstly, ecology is ecology whether it is marine or terrestrial. Secondly, I believe that to obtain sustainability within the food industry, we must create harmony between the people that provide that food and the environment, whether that is farmers or fishermen.
The Lowlands Research teams works very closely with six farms in the PepsiCo project, helping them to make their farms more biodiverse and listening to what they need to ensure that their businesses are profitable. Cooperation like this is difficult but could be crucial to the survival of many loved species. Finally, I really love birds. I love bird watching and it is an absolute pleasure to be surrounded by goldfinches, linnets, chaffinches, and skylarks (just to name a few) on a daily basis. So far, the placement has been excellent as I am gaining heaps of species identification and surveying experience as well as meeting loads of fascinating people whose interests lie in the same direction as mine.