My journey through academia has taken me in directions I never would have imagined. Studying environmental science at the University of Birmingham has shown me such a variety of subjects, from geology to hydrology, palaeoecology and climatology. As an undergraduate I did my first work with DAWN, working alongside Arnald on “Socio-environmental modelling shows physics-like confidence with water modelling surpassing it in numerical claims”. It was such an eye-opening experience that made obvious to me how easily assumptions can permeate within the scientific community and calcify into staunchly held beliefs. I later did more work for DAWN and eventually offered myself up for a PhD studentship to investigate what role social media might play in the spread of water modelling knowledge. This would involve similar techniques I have learnt from working with DAWN, such as network analysis and analysis of language.

This research will be quite different from much of what I have studied at university. However, I have always endeavoured to expand my knowledge and push myself into the unfamiliar. As it stands there are some many directions I could take this research, which makes me all the more excited to get stuck in. I hope to provide insights into the construction and dissemination of water modelling claims and shed light on how perceptions surrounding the subject are constructed.

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