Alumni: Rose Joyce

What attracted you to Warwick?

I was looking for an MSc that combined my interests in climate change, agriculture, and the environment, as this degree interrogates these topics from a scientific and policy perspective it was perfect for me. I was already studying at Warwick and knew that I liked the campus and the area.

This course was the only Master's I was interested in studying but I knew I would not be able to attend without a scholarship. I was very lucky to receive a Clyde Higgs Scholarship from the Elizabeth Creak Charitable Trust, which meant in combination with an Academic Excellence Scholarship, I was fully funded.

What was the most valuable part of your experience at Warwick?

My most valuable experience on the programme was the final dissertation where I had the opportunity to undertake primary research. I loved the experience of formulating my own research topic and developing the study design as I went, to ensure that I was able to answer the research question fully and have actionable and realistic policy suggestions as the output. I also found that presenting my research was also a brilliant experience for job applications and my current role as I learnt how to disseminate complex, scientific research to a non-expert audience.

How did your research project develop your skills and shape your career direction?

My research project was titled "Investigating the factors influencing farmers' decisions to enhance biodiversity through government incentive programs". I loved having the opportunity to engage with farmers to find what barriers they faced in entering biodiversity schemes and what motivated them to enhance biodiversity on their farm. Although I am not currently working in agriculture specifically, involving farmers in the research process and knowledge creation helped me to realise that I really enjoy engaging with people to create sustainable environmental and climate change policy. This led me to a role in local government where I have the opportunity to engage with people, science, and policy.

What is your current role and how did the course prepare you for it?

My current role is Environmental Sustainability Officer at Oxford City Council. This course and my research project prepared me well for this role through the skills I gained in in-depth research, giving presentations, report writing, stakeholder management and engagement, and how to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines. I learned so much through this course that I use every day in my role; but this course also prepared me for when I come across a new topic, I know how to approach it, research, ask the right questions, and learn quickly.

What advice would you give to prospective students considering this course?

I would advise that if you are concerned about funding the programme check all the scholarships that you might be eligible for and apply for as many as you can (it might not be too late even if it is past the online deadline).

I would also advise prospective students to get involved in anything that even slightly interests you because there are so many opportunities to learn so much and networks that you can keep in contact with well beyond your time studying.