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Rachel Pateman

Rachel did her first degree in Biological Sciences at Oxford University, during which time she was fortunate enough to travel to Ecuador and Belize to study rainforest ecology. These experiences convinced her she wanted a career in biodiversity conservation but, looking for something closer to home, she started volunteering with the Wildlife Trusts when she finished her degree. This led to a job as Conservation Officer for Cambridgeshire where she was surrounded by fantastic colleagues who taught her a tremendous amount about ecology and conservation in the UK. After a couple of years she felt the itch for more studying and moved to York to study for a PhD in the Biology Department, focussing on how species change the types of habitat they use in response to climate change. Following this she was fortunate enough to get a job with SEI where she still researches biodiversity conservation (daddy longlegs on peat bogs at the moment!) but also spends a lot of time engaging people with the natural environment and science. She loves having a job where she can spend lots of time outdoors with people and nature!