A first year student from Queen Mary's Department of Geography has been named as one of the recipients of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)’s Learning and Leading fieldwork apprenticeships.
Ricky Stevens, from Dagenham, was selected as one of five students from across the UK to be awarded a bursary under this scheme.
The apprenticeships are awarded each year to help students who would not otherwise have the opportunity to undertake field research overseas: enhancing their geographical learning, developing their wider skills, and supporting their personal and professional development.
Ricky will spend five weeks in Iceland this summer, as an apprentice to Dr Simon Carr and Dr Stephanie Mills from Queen Mary’s Department of Geography, on their work looking at the response of very small glaciers to current climate change. These small glaciers are arguably the most vulnerable to current climate trends, and provide a highly sensitive indicator of regional and global climate, and how landscapes respond to such changes to our climate.
Located in the middle of the Gulf Stream, Iceland is a particularly important place to examine climate change, especially within the context of predicting the effects of global warming on the British Isles. Ricky commented: “I still can’t believe I was chosen, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and I can’t wait until the summer to get out there.”
Dr Catherine Souch, Head of Research and Higher Education, of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) said: “The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) is delighted to have chosen Ricky for one of our first fieldwork apprenticeships and give him the chance to participate in cutting-edge field research.
“The Society is sure his Icelandic fieldwork, working with Dr Simon Carr, will give Ricky an important opportunity to develop his field skills and understanding and passion for geography.”
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