Gary Watmough MSc in Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis

Hi, I'm Gary Watmough and I studied MSc in Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis within Geography and Environmental Science at the University of Southampton.

I enjoyed working in a dynamic environment in Southampton. There were many opportunities to expand my experiences and knowledge in a range of things.

Q: Why did chose to undertake your studies / research with the University of Southampton?

I originally came to Southampton in 2006 to undertake an MSc in Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis in the Geography Department. I chose Southampton for a Masters degree for two main reasons: the excellent reputation of the taught courses here, and a lecturer at Lancaster (where I studied my BSc) who recommended coming here to further my education in spatial analysis.

After 12 months in the department undertaking the MSc I had built up a good working relationship with several members of the Geography research staff and was offered the opportunity to undertake a research project in collaboration with the GeoData Institute. I chose to remain here in Southampton for my research PhD as the relationship between the Geography Department with the GeoData Institute meant the research I was to conduct would contribute towards existing GeoData projects.

Q: Rate the support offered by your lecturers, academic supervisors and/or research assistants, and why.

The support in the Geography Department is excellent. As well as having two PhD supervisors, many other members of staff in related fields, postdoctoral research assistants and members of staff from the social sciences school have also supported my research.

Q: What did you enjoy about studying at Southampton?

I enjoyed working in a dynamic environment in Southampton. There were many opportunities to expand my experiences and knowledge in a range of things. Demonstrating, field work, graduate school training and external seminar series enable a wide range of skills to be developed.

Q: What have you been able to achieve as a result of studying at the University of Southampton?

During my PhD I managed to raise funding to travel to my study site in Assam, North East India, to undertake six weeks of field work. I also spent six further weeks in Nepal in 2010 working for a charity (The Glacier Trust) set up by a Geography graduate. I was fortunate to spend time teaching Nepalese masters students about geographical methods that could help their research. Part of the trip was spent in rural villages over five hours trek from the nearest road, visiting these villages highlighted the problems faced by the rural communities in an area with rapidly changing climate.