Green Gown Awards 2017 - University of Southampton - Winner

Emily’s research examines an important issue - microplastics in the marine environment and the consequences for the human food chain.

Emily worked alongside a postgraduate, but offered her own commitment and expertise. Emily’s project gained a high First Class grade, won the Best Research Presentation award at the Meliora International Student Sustainability Research Symposium and will be awarded the Environmental Sciences departmental prize for the Best Research Project.  Her supervisor intends to publish this in an international journal given its importance to the scientific community and those associated with sustainable marine management and food production. Her supervisor has discussed her findings at a DEFRA-hosted workshop, which may lead to a wider call for research from government agencies.

Emily is an activist with Surfers against Sewage. She has impressed everyone involved and has shown commitment and ability with such a technical project, especially given her previously limited laboratory analytical experience.

Top 3 learnings:

1 Todays ‘single use’ culture.  Throughout researching microplastics I have realised how much society relies on plastic as an everyday, single use material – it’s everywhere!

2 Keep reading.  New information is constantly being published and staying up-to-date with relevant research will always benefit your own, regardless of how much you already understand the topic.

3 Always challenge yourself – especially when picking a dissertation topic.  You will work harder and be more satisfied with the outcome.

Videos

• Emily Haggett (click to hide)