Choosing Southampton

I chose Southampton because of the welcoming feel of the Physics and Astronomy department, its excellent reputation and the lovely campus.

Career highlights

Since training as a physics teacher, there have been so many highlights. Teaching is an emotional rollercoaster and I absolutely love it. I never in a million years thought I’d be a teacher, in fact I actively said I would never be one, but sharing what I love with students every day really is an honour.

Before I became a teacher I qualified as a medical physicist, specialising in radiation protection, which was a very proud moment. Training and working in a hospital environment was incredible. Medical physics (and particularly radiation protection, in my opinion) is such a dynamic and interesting field; I’ve kept my clinical scientist registration up in case I feel the call to go back. As a part of my training I spent a week with the Radiation Protection Team at CERN, which was brilliant.

Being part of a vibrant department at Southampton

I loved being part of a vibrant, warm and welcoming physics department. Staff and students alike were all approachable and willing to help. I also enjoyed working for the Students’ Union and being part of a great community there too. I always felt like I was where I should be when I was at university in Southampton and talk about it proudly when asked for my opinions on universities by my students.

I was a committee member for the student physics society, Physoc. I organised the winter and summer balls, and had such brilliant fun at all the Physoc events I went to.

At Southampton, I really enjoyed working with people who were at the top of their fields and being able to have access to state-of-the-art equipment (and minds!). I particularly enjoyed my third-year dissertation, as it felt like a privilege to be able to learn about something I was so passionate about, and work with an academic who is highly respected in that field.