Joss
Sibbering

Why did you choose to study your course at NTU?

I changed my undergraduate degree path from pure physics to doing some ecology modules in the final year and fell in love with the subject. Considering that I’ve only had a short introduction to the subject, I wanted to do a Masters to round off my knowledge and skills, and this course exactly fitted the bill, especially as I was already living in Nottingham!

What made your mind up about studying a PG course at Brackenhurst Campus?

I heard from friends who had studied at NTU that it was a good university with great student support, and after visiting Brackenhurst for an open day and seeing the grounds I was sure that it would be right for me. Having access to the land for conducting fieldwork is essential for me as there wasn’t much opportunity for that with my undergraduate degree since my ecology modules were with the Open University.

What do you enjoy most about your course?

The balance between lectures and free time has worked out really well and I’ve really appreciated the relaxed attitude of the lecturers!

How do you find your modules and what have you most enjoyed studying/ researching?

It’s great that it’s introduced key skills required for ecology such as GIS and R straight away. Learning about the more intricate and diverse issues within ecology in the Conservation Policies module has also been great and has introduced many perspectives that I hadn’t considered before.

My dissertation is looking at the properties of wet woodlands in the UK, which are a rare and disappearing ecosystem with so little research conducted on them. I’m hoping to change that and work out if they are worth preserving! The research projects are a great way to take something you’re passionate about and run with it – you have loads of scope to research almost anything you want, which is great!

What do you think about the facilities available on your course and what do you use the most?

I think the library is outstanding! I spend most of my time on campus in there (when I’m not in lectures!) It’s super comfortable and cosy, there’s always space and the staff are always there to help! Maybe not a typical “facility”, but I really love the trees on campus as well – seeing these huge ancient individuals that have been looked after for decades if not centuries is amazing!

What do you think about Brackenhurst Campus? What do you get up to in your spare time? 

I live in Nottingham, so most of my time on campus is spent studying in the library, but I still take a walk around the grounds most days I’m there – it’s great to see the seasons change the land and get some well-needed nature time! On Thursday and Saturday evenings I head to Clifton Campus to shoot with the NTU Archery club, a sport I took up 8 years ago and only now have had a chance to get back into. As a sport it’s incredibly accessible and relaxed while giving you an amazing way to connect with your body, similar to a martial art. Overall it’s a great group of people and a great way to unwind. Every now and then I head up into the Peak District (or further afield!) for a good day or two of hiking, it’s really easy to get to by car or train and well worth visiting!

What is your top tip for someone considering studying/ living at Brackenhurst Campus?

Can’t say for living on Brackenhurst as I live in the city, but for studying I’d suggest always wear shoes you don’t mind getting a bit muddy, try to explore the site as much as you can (there are some great out of the way spots!) and if you live in the city definitely think about getting an NCTX bus pass – you only have to take the bus 3 or 4 times a week for it to pay for itself!

Have you been involved in any placements, work experience or volunteering as part of your course? If so, what did you do and what did you achieve?

While not directly through the course, I have been involved with NottsBAG (Nottinghamshire Biodiversity Action Group) previously, carrying out habitat restoration for the Grizzled Skipper butterfly and removing the invasive Himalayan Balsam and Signal Crayfish which has been lots of fun and really informative!

Have you been involved in any research events or conferences during your time as a postgraduate student? If so, what did you do and what did you achieve?

I attended the British Ecological Society’s (BES) Annual Conference in Liverpool in December 2024, partially just to enjoy the atmosphere (it’s one of the most welcoming events I’ve ever attended!) and because it acts as a huge ecology Christmas party, partially to learn about what the current research in ecology is covering and partially to launch a new network within the BES that myself and a few others have set up for learning about activism and advocacy within ecology, called CASCADE (Community for Activism and SCience-based ADvocacy in Ecology)! We hope to be a bridge between research/careers and more direct action for those who believe there is a need for practitioners to get the word out about the reality of the climate, biodiversity and pollution crises. While we won’t conduct any activism or advocacy directly, we aim to build a support group for those who are already involved or just interested and don’t know where to start or have some questions or worries.

Why would you recommend your course to someone considering studying it?

Being surrounded by people on similar courses is great, the library is fantastic, the lecturers are really friendly and interesting with diverse skills, the campus is beautiful and the course material really useful.

What are your plans for after the course and how do you feel your course has/ will help you to achieve that goal?

I’m hoping to do a PhD after the Masters, though the exact details of that are yet to be worked out! If that doesn’t work out, I’d be more than happy becoming a warden for a nature reserve that also undertakes research – it would be great to get to know a particular location really well!