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About Me
An Oxford University trained physicist with a PhD and real world, schools and tutoring experience (DBS checked & full insurance)
Originally trained in physics (PhD) and project management (Registered PRINCE2 Practitioner), I started out my career with 5 years research in atmospheric science, then 15 years modernising the scientific civil service – before ‘upping sticks’ to take my children backpacking around the world ... for months at a time ... twice!
(This was first as preschoolers, then aged 9 and 11 – something that friends and family had said wouldn’t be possible. You might enjoy reading about our travels here.)
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From 2014, I began designing and taking science and maths workshops into local primary schools, alongside various voluntary, community-based projects and occasional pieces of consultancy work (e.g., working on a scheme to encourage non-graduate physics technicians to join the Institute of Physics), before progressing to tutor secondary school students in science and maths. These are all things I still absolutely love!
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Added to my academic depth and real-world experience, my proven ability to break the mould and forge new and challenging paths may provide additional motivation and belief for some students. (My place to read physics at Oxford University was achieved as a first-generation student from a solidly working class background.)
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My unwavering passion in all areas of science and education, self-employed portfolio career, and delight in taking on a challenge and tackling perceptions and the status quo, all help keep me constantly fresh and thinking of new ways to reach, teach and inspire.
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I live in NW Hampshire with my husband and two children.
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Read more about My Approach to Tutorials and, for science workshops and clubs, Why Choose Me?
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Qualifications
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A-levels: Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology
BA (Oxford University): Physics
MSc (Reading University): Meteorology
PhD (Manchester University): Atmospheric Physics
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Career
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1991-2004 (12 yrs): Met Office - various roles including cloud physics research at Met Research Flight operating out of Farnborough airfield, project management across large corporate projects, International Relations
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2004-2011 (8 yrs): Dstl - various roles including team leader and project manager in Geospatial Intelligence, Rotorcraft (Helicopters), Counter-Terrorism and Corporate
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Since 2011: world travel (backpacking) with my pre-school and primary-school-aged children, travel writing, various voluntary, community-based projects
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Since 2015: ‘Dr Spice Advice’, including science workshops/clubs in NW Hampshire primary schools and home school groups, and science/maths tutoring at KS3, GCSE, Level 2 and A-level, both privately and in school