“Always treat others how you would want to be treated yourself. Scientific research and academia can be tough and competitive but that doesn’t mean you can’t show kindness, consideration and empathy to others.”
-Prof. Sian Davies-Vollum
Prof. Sian Davies-Vollum
University of Northampton | UK
Professor Sian Davies-Vollum has a PhD in Earth Science, MSc in Environmental Technology and a background that bridges Geology, Geography and Environmental Science. Her work focuses on understanding environmental and climate change in coastal and wetland environments and she has worked on a variety of multi-disciplinary projects that have taken her around the world. In 2014 She had the opportunity to visit Ghana, which led to research on coastal sustainability in West Africa. She established and co-leads the Resilient Lagoon Network, funded by the UK Global Challenges Research Fund, which brings together researchers from across the region to work on issues of sustainable coastal governance. Sian is a Trustee of the Geological Society, Chairs University Geoscience UK (the organisation that represents Geoscience at UK universities), and led the recent review of the QAA Benchmark Statement that guides degree content for Earth and Environmental Science/Studies. She is currently Deputy Dean in the Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology at the University of Northampton.
1. Reflecting on your career, what stands out as a career achievement that brings you immense pride?
I never thought I would achieve professorial status and I took quite a circuitous and unconventional route to get here so it is all the more satisfying.
2. Could you share what initially drew you to the field of environmental geoscience and what continues to inspire you in your role as a scientist? What aspects of your work as a scientist do you find most rewarding?
My grandparents lived near the coast and as a child I loved hunting for fossils and pebbles on the beach and generally being outdoors. A trip to the Natural History Museum in London got me interested in minerals and then when I developed a fascination for maps and enjoyed studying geography at school all of that came together and I knew that I wanted to study geology at university. I became increasingly aware of environmental issues so following my undergraduate degree, I took an MSc in Environmental Technology and have been drawn to projects that combine geoscience and environment ever since. I am inspired as a scientist by the underpinning role science has in creating and enabling an environmentally sustainable future and in the small role I can play in that through my own research.
The most rewarding part of my work has been supporting students and early career colleagues as new researchers and seeing them gain in skills and confidence.
3. Could you share some of the key characteristics that you believe contribute to success in your field?
Resilience and flexibility are definitely required to be a successful academic researcher. Because of its multi-faceted nature, the coastal work I do also needs an ability to and curiosity for working across multiple disciplines/subject areas.
4. Coastal and wetland environments are often the first to experience the effects of climate change. Could you discuss a specific case study from your research where you’ve observed significant changes due to climate variability, and how these changes might inform future adaptation strategies for similar ecosystems?
I’ve worked at Muni lagoon in Ghana for the past ten years. Climate data shows increasing unpredictability of the rainy seasons and this is borne out by the experiences of the lagoon community there. My former research student, Dr Daniel Koomson, spent a lot of time working with the community at Muni to understand the impacts of climate change on fishing. He discovered that changes to the rainy season severely impacted the income from fishing, not only in terms of when fishing can take place and the size of catch but also in relation to the processing of the fish, which involves drying outside. Surprise rainfall causes the drying fish to spoil thus interventions for processing or better rain forecasting can inform adaptation strategies that support coastal fishing communities.
5. Can you share insights into the unique challenges and opportunities that lagoons present in the context of climate resilience based on your work in the Resilient Lagoon Network? Additionally, how do your findings from the Resilient Lagoon Network contribute to broader discussions on coastal sustainability and the development of effective environmental policies?
Lagoon barrier systems are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. They are constantly changing and will continue to evolve as climate shifts. How to manage this and live with it is challenging especially when faced with compounding factors such as lack of sanitation and waste management and over-use of lagoon resources. The Resilient Lagoon Network have been working with lagoon stakeholders from across West Africa to understand their experiences of living and working in and around lagoons and listening to their ideas on how best lagoons can be sustainably managed. From this we have developed a lagoon management framework for the region. The framework emphasizes management that is cooperative and collaborative underpinned by sharing of information between interested parties. I think it is the experience of developing this stakeholder informed approach to coastal management that the RLN can bring to broader discussions on governance and policy that supports coastal sustainability.
6. Could you tell us about your hobbies or activities that you enjoy outside of your academic and research commitments?
I like to exercise and I am a qualified yoga instructor. I love all types of music and I belong to a choir. I am also very involved as a volunteer for the girl guiding association.
7. With the increasing urgency surrounding the future of our coastal ecosystems, what do you perceive as the most pressing challenges or promising opportunities for FEC?
Well, a challenge can also be an opportunity depending on how you perceive and approach it. I think that understanding how coastal communities can successfully adapt to and live with sea level rise is the most pressing challenge and a promising opportunity for FEC.
8. Do you have any guidance or wisdom that you would like to share with young scientists embarking on their careers?
Always treat others how you would want to be treated yourself. Scientific research and academia can be tough and competitive but that doesn’t mean you can’t show kindness, consideration and empathy to others.