Steven Armstrong

Why did you choose Northumbria University?

I chose Northumbria University because of the values of the course staff, their promotion of intellectual creativity and the opportunity to follow individual interests and passions within the subject.

What do you think of Newcastle and our region and what are your favourite things to do?

The North East has fantastic arts and culture, ranging from art galleries and theatres, to regular grass roots food festivals. There is always something different going on.

Did you find Northumbria University welcoming?

The University is very welcoming, and in particular the Faculty of Engineering and Environment is a close community with different disciplines collaborating and working together.

What have you enjoyed most about coming to Northumbria University?

I have enjoyed the range of extracurricular activities on offer, which provide skills and experiences that complement my degree.

Who has helped you most since you came to Northumbria?

Gary Wells who takes the Experiment and Discovery module has a great ethos and approach to scientific laboratories. He has also been instrumental in the Physics society's weather balloon project, providing invaluable insight into the programming of the Arduino.

Who has inspired you most at Northumbria University?

Neil Beattie the course leader has inspired me most. His passion for the course at an Open Day I attended was one of the key factors in me choosing this University. The course has lived up to and exceeded my expectations, his continued passion for both the course and Physics as a whole is inspiring and has driven me to achieve more and increase my scope within the scientific community.

What is your favourite place on campus?

My favourite place on campus is the new Think Physics space, it has great resources for individual work in workstations, and informal breakout areas with whiteboard tables for collaborative work which have been extremely useful this year.

Have you joined any sports teams, clubs or been involved in any volunteer projects?  

I am Secretary of the Physics Society; we have been involved in designing and launching a scientific weather balloon. The department has championed this and helped out greatly. It has been great to have the freedom to work on a project of personal interest outside the constraints of academic deadlines!

What is the best thing about your course?

The best thing is the collaborative community within the Faculty and in particular within the Physics department. As it is a small course everyone helps each other and wants everyone to be successful, which creates a great academic environment.

What are the most valuable lessons you have learnt to date?

I have learnt about the importance of collaborative work. Each individual has their own strengths and weaknesses and working together everyone can push their own limits and strive to achieve great things.

What do you want to do in the future? What skills have you learned/improved that you think will be of most use in your future career?

I currently wish to work within the technology sector developing new products to improve people’s lives. I think the scientific method of problem solving and teamwork will be invaluable in a future career in this field.

If you could offer some advice to students thinking of coming to study here what would you say?

Come to this University with ambitions beyond the restriction of the course modules and use the University’s vast resources and expertise to realise those ambitions.

How do you feel you have changed as a person since being at Northumbria University?

I have become a lot more driven and ambitious since being at Northumbria University. The people at this University have championed and pushed me to excel in what drives me.

If you had three words to sum up your time with us what would they be?

Passion, academic freedom and excellence.

Would you recommend Northumbria University to a friend?

Yes.