Profile

Through my research I am hoping to learn what the Earth was like shortly after it formed.

I’m particularly interested in whether it had a magnetic field. Earth is an amazing place because the conditions were right for life to start forming at about 3 billion years ago. We aren’t sure why life doesn’t exist on other planets, but we think that one of the reasons life is found on Earth is because we have a magnetic field (as well as water, carbon and oxygen). We don’t know now how old the magnetic field is and I am trying to find out. I collected some of the oldest rocks in the world which, if  asked nicely, (through hours of experiments) might be able to give us information about the very ancient magnetic field.

Most of my time is spent at the Geomagnetism Laboratory at the University of Liverpool, but I also spend a fair amount of time at a lab in Holland. When in the lab, chances are you’ll find me in our rock preparation room, where I cut rocks to size for hours on end. Otherwise, I’ll be in one of our shielding cages working on experiments. A normal experiment will take me between one and two weeks and I work on little else in that time. During term time I usually help out in practicals about volcanoes, fossils and earthquakes  teaching to undergraduates once or twice a week.

I’m also lucky to spend some time out in the field, either collecting rocks for my research or helping to teach undergraduates how geology is done.

I am also encouraged to go to conferences two or 3 times a year, where scientist share their latest discoveries. They are so much fun! You get to hear about groundbreaking science and network with leading experts.