Jack Merrifield
PhD researcher
The University of Southampton is a well known member of the Russell Group, making it an ideal place for me to pursue my research goals. I was also very interested in joining a university with a consistently strong reputation for teaching and learning, given my ambitions in academia beyond my current programme.
What made you choose to come and study at Southampton?
The University of Southampton is a well known member of the Russell Group, making it an ideal place for me to pursue my research goals. I was also very interested in joining a university with a consistently strong reputation for teaching and learning, given my ambitions in academia beyond my current programme. You don’t have to do much digging to discover that the research community here addresses important challenges in Environmental Science, Sustainability and Conservation so I was very keen to become part of that team.
Can you provide a summary of the research you are working on within your course?
My research focuses on the impact urbanisation has on protected bat species in the UK. I hope to reveal the effect of by-products of human activity, such as artificial light and sound, have on habitat quality and connectivity for these ecologically important species. The outcomes of my work will provide evidence-based recommendations for the conservation of these fascinating animals.
How have the facilities available at the University helped you with your research? Which facilities have you used/ do you use regularly?
My work has involved a challenging but fun balance of field, lab, and desk-based research. The interdisciplinary approaches I use have given me access to a wide range of excellent, on-site facilities. For example, I use the Engineering Design and Manufacturing Centre to build equipment for my fieldwork, the Anechoic Chamber to test and calibrate my detection systems, and state-of-the-art research laboratories to analyse my collected data.
What is it like studying here?
PhDs are very intensive by nature so it’s important to make time for hobbies and things that give a bit of work-life balance. For me, sport is an important part of striking that balance and the facilities and variety of affordable sporting societies here are perfect for maintaining that.
No matter what stage of academia you're at, the library is usually an important hub and is very much the heart of Highfield campus where I’m based. I have been a student at four UK universities, including Southampton, and I’m always impressed by the library facility we have here and the range and accessibility and of its resources for students.
What have been your Southampton ‘highlights’ so far?
Generally, I think being part of a globally respected research community that undertakes novel research is a major positive. On a more personal note, I am as passionate about teaching as I am about my research and being able to develop both sets of skills is a real bonus and something that is facilitated really well by academic and non-academic staff here.
What are you enjoying most about your course?
The fantastic platform it is giving me for a career in academia and conservation.
Do you have any idea of what you would like to do in the future? Have the opportunities you have taken up while at the University helped you have a clearer idea of what you might like to do?
I see myself applying for at least one postdoctoral position to develop my research further before applying for lecturing positions and teaching fellowships within Higher Education, potentially at the University of Southampton.
Do you like living in Southampton? What are the benefits of Southampton as a city?
I was slow to warm to Southampton as a city to be honest – I’m a rugby player from the West Country living in a football mad city after all. However, it doesn’t take long to realise how much there is to do here. Southampton is well connected to other major hubs like London as well and has a ferry port and airport which makes it very accessible. The New Forest and beaches aren’t far away. The Common, a large central park, is a nice spot for walking and relaxing as well as doing sport and it’s a space I use a lot. There are also some great places in town and around the University for a few well-earned pints at the end of the week too.
What advice would you give to prospective University of Southampton PhD students?
Try and get some data collection under your belt in the first year in addition to writing your literature review. Also, keep an open line of communication with your supervisors regularly from an early stage.