Profile
Lauren Rawlins
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About Me:
I am a researcher based in the wonderful Yorkshire, UK. I have a dog called Eska who loves to play fetch and go on long walks. In my spare time I like to do all things crafty!
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My pronouns are:
She/Her
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How I use Geography in my work:
I am a glaciologist, so the research and work I do is looking at the how climate change is impacting glaciers and how people that depend on them are affected in particular for water resources and risks to glacial hazards)
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My Work:
I am a researcher that uses satellite imagery and drones to look at how Himalayan glaciers are changing with climate change, in particular glacial lakes and the hazards they pose to downstream communities
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My Typical Day:
For me, a typical day is waking up at 6am, walking the dog and then travelling to the University. When I get to the office, I usually look at lots of satellite imagery and run computer code to analyse data. I also teach university students about climate change and glaciers so often I head to a lecture theatre. My day can also involve talking to other glaciologists where I work, as a lot of science is about team work!
When I am on fieldwork, a typical day will involve me waking up very early, getting dressed into warm clothes and eating breakfast where we’re staying (often in a lodge in the Himalayas or cooking in a tent) – often porridge or granola. In the Himalayas, through the day, we can hike up to 25 km (a day) so can get tired. We can also have altitude sickness, which can pose additional physical and mental challenges.
When hiking, I will often stop to do drone surveys, with the drone taking lots of images of the glaciers and glacial lakes. At the end of the day I am very tired, will eat dinner and head straight to my sleeping bag to warm up! I may watch a bit of downloaded TV on my phone, or read a book, and nod off.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I regularly undertake outreach work at schools and science events. I would love to be able to supply more materials and fun elements to those visits, including 3D-printed models of mountain landscapes, VR headsets to show footage of the types of fieldwork I (and the team I work with) does, and provide some keepsakes for students as a reminder of the visits (e.g., stickers, laser-printed rulers and coasters, science-based postcards).
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Education:
I went to school in Tamworth (near Birmingham) which specialised in performing arts. I did both my GCSEs and A-levels there.
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Qualifications:
I gained 12 GCSEs, 3 A-levels and 1 AS level
I then went to the University of York, where I gained an undergraduate and masters degree in Environmental Geography, and then went onto to complete a PhD in Glaciology after a year in industry.
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Work History:
So I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do when I left school, so I took a year out after my A-levels and worked at John Lewis as a sales assistant.
I decided to apply to do Environmental Geography at York as really enjoyed A-level geography (and my geography teacher had studied and taught us glaciers!) and was accepted the following year. During my degree at York, I also had many part time jobs to help get some extra money. Over 4 years, I worked in a bar, in a ceramics studio and as a student ambassador for the University. I also did summer work as a research intern which allowed me to gain more independent research experience.
After a year in industry, I then went onto work on my PhD for 4 years, which involved understanding how the Greenland Ice Sheet is melting with climate change. This involved lots of looking at satellite images and going to Greenland – flying drones to get better pictures and information of the icy surface and water movement!
After I finished my PhD, I went back to working in a ceramics studio, until I found an academic job, where I lectured for a year. Before then getting my current research and teaching job.
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Current Job:
In my current job, I am a glaciologist and researcher at the University of Leeds. My job involves researching how glaciers are changing in the Himalayas, and the hazards they create as they melt – glacial lakes. Most of the time I can be found in my office looking at and analysing glacial lakes from satellite images from space. And for a month or two every year I will head to the Himalayas to fly drones and gather more information about them. I also get to talk to local people and understand how their glaciers are changing first-hand.
I also have a research background in hydrology on the Greenland Ice Sheet and have done fieldwork here 3 times.
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Employer:
Department of Geography, University of Leeds
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My Interview
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What did you want to be after you left school?
I had an idea of being a vet, but wasn't sure!
Were you ever in trouble at school?
I was a good student and loved school, so didn't get into trouble
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
A criminal investigator with the police force
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Wolf Alice
What's your favourite food?
Pie and mash
Tell us a joke.
Why don't glaciers get invited to parties? Because they're too cool...
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