Growing up in the Metropolitan Green Belt surrounding London, I have always had a deep fascination with how humans interact with their social and physical environment. As a direct consequence of a post-war baby boom and the resulting population pressures it created, social and environmental conflict has come into the fore as a topic of much contention in recent years. Naturally, I wished to further develop my understanding of such conflict in a manner that allowed me to pursue my personal interests. From the illegal trade in endangered animals, to the dumping of hazardous waste into the environment; environmental criminology was a sub-discipline of criminology that greatly appealed to me. In September 2010 I began as a nervous fresher in a subject I had never studied before, since then I've never looked back.
What are you doing now?
It is now nearly a year since I graduated and I have used the past 12 months to gain invaluable industry experience of working for non-governmental environmental organisations such the RSPB. I had always intended to further my education at postgraduate level; using a year out provided me with the ability to complement the skills I had learnt during my time at Northumbria with industry specific knowledge from the environmental sector. As of October, I shall be studying an MPhil in Environmental Policy at the University of Cambridge.
How did studying at Northumbria help you achieve your career goals / give your career an edge?
Northumbria provided me with the ability to focus on the topics that I'm passionate about in a way that best suited my style of learning. When you're work reflects that passion, achieving a good grade is much easier than it sometimes seems and that's when doors start to open for you.
What was the best thing about your course?
The lecturers. Pragmatic, inspiring, funny, even a bit weird at times; always happy to meet for advice or go for a beer. These are the people that make Northumbria so special and had I spent 3 years drifting in and out of lectures without ever having a bit of banter with them or picking their brains when I had an imminent deadline, then I'm sure my experience of Northumbria would have been all the poorer for it.
Who inspired you the most, and why?
Dr Timi Osidipe and Dr Tanya Wyatt. All the staff are exceptional but naturally each student, through choice of subject or by allocation of dissertation supervisor become more acquainted with certain members of faculty. Timi and Tanya did for me what other staff members did for my course mates; everything they could....and then some! I will always be both inspired by their dedication and grateful for it. Thank you.
Which skills/knowledge did you learn on your course that you use most now/throughout your career?
A fascinating in-depth account of the criminal justice system and how society responds to crime and criminals.
What did you enjoy most about your time at Northumbria University?
Everything!
What advice would you give somebody who is thinking of studying at Northumbria?
You have the opportunity to attend an excellent institution with big ambitions in the greatest city for young adults in Europe, along side the most amazing like minded people that you'll ever meet Now that I know you're going to apply, let me offer some advice: Choose a course you love, join a team, put yourself out there.
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