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SET Women - Leicestershire Women in Science Engineering & Technology

e-Book - Dr Sarah Davies - Geologist

"I cannot express just how glad I am to have pursued a career in SET "

The world narrowly missed having Sarah as a professional scientist, even with parents who encouraged her to observe and investigate its natural wonders. "Family holidays always involved looking at the world around us, making observations when rock-pooling or walking up mountains, and asking why. We were always encouraged to read more about what we found interesting." It wasn't until a Geography field trip taken just before choosing her A-levels that Sarah learned how much she enjoyed taking physical measurements of her observations and connecting them to interpretations of the processes that create the natural world.

"I spoke to my Geography teacher to discuss taking an A-level in Geography. He was perceptive and said that my interests in the Physical Geography aspects would suggest I would be interested in Geology." To be certain, Sarah met with the Geology teacher whose enthusiasm was so contagious that she wanted to learn more.

At her Sixth Form college, Sarah finished A-levels in Geology, Chemistry and Maths so that she would be ready for a Geology degree at University. She attended the University of Leeds to earn her BSc degree. During her courses she found she had a love of sedimentology, and she became determined to do her own research in the field for a PhD and beyond. The research work at the University of Leicester appealed to her most, and so she pursued her PhD in their Department of Geology.

Her first job after earning her PhD was as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Liverpool, a position that was funded by an oil company. "I was able to pursue my own research interests, and these took me to some amazing geological locations around the world from the coast of Nova Scotia to the empty wilds of the Gobi Desert in Mongolia."

After a temporary lectureship at the University of Edinburgh, Sarah returned to Leicester as a lecturer in sedimentology. "I mainly look at the ancient record -- sediments that are tens to hundreds of millions of years old. My laboratory is the world and I frequently spend time outside recording observations in strata exposed in streams, along the coasts or along the mountains." Sarah's research in understanding how the planet worked in the past directly helps her to consider how it might behave in the future. "The Earth is a dynamic system, and processes operating in the solid Earth beneath our feet, the atmosphere, the hydrosphere (oceans) and the biosphere (life) are interconnected. Unravelling links between these elements is a complex problem, but rocks and fossils hold clues to resolving the dynamic interactions."

As a lecturer and Careers Tutor, Sarah has taught and advised many undergraduate women of varying ages, including mature students. "Studying the geosciences is incredibly rewarding. Many Geologists are involved in the search for energy, including in the hydrocarbon industry, and mineral and water resources, but many more are in careers that address global and local environmental issues, including pollution, climate change, waste management and environmental monitoring and in geotechnical engineering and geo-hazard assessment and remediation." She says the work takes many forms, from being in the outdoors collecting data to analysing and modelling data using sophisticated cutting-edge technologies. "The traditional image of the lone geologist working in a remote field area is not representative of the wide range of careers on offer. You will find that teamwork is vital in modern companies, and although you can work abroad and travel a lot, you also can remain based in the UK."

Fifteen years into her career, Sarah has published important and highly cited papers in sedimentology and is Chair of the British Sedimentological Research group, the 'principle focus for all aspects of sedimentological research in the UK'. It is difficult to remember that this accomplished and enthusiastic scientist nearly became a languages graduate, but she says she has never regretted the decision to be in SET. "It has been fun and challenging, and I continue to learn and discover through solving problems. It isn't all 'eureka' moments, but my work is endlessly fascinating."

Learn more about Dr Sarah Davies' work: Dr Davies' Homepage