What attracted you to Aerospace Engineering at Bristol?

After completing an undergraduate Masters in Maths at Manchester I looked at a range of Masters and PhD courses in aerodynamic disciplines as route to a career in aerospace engineering. I decided on this course at Bristol for three main reasons: the PhD topic sounded really interested and a great fit for my background in mathematics; the reputation of Bristol as a leading institute for research; and I had already visited Bristol a number of times and really enjoyed it.

What have you enjoyed about your PhD?

I’ve really enjoyed the freedom and control I’ve had over my research. This has allowed me to devote my time to the areas which I think are most important and I really develop a solid understanding of my subject area.

What's your favourite thing to do in the city?

I play football weekly in the Bristol Downs Amateur football league. This is one of the oldest football leagues in the country and has the advantage of having all of its games played at the same locations. Through this I have met lots of great people and kept fit in a very friendly but competitive environment.

What's been your biggest achievement or greatest sense of personal satisfaction during your studies?

I have had the opportunity to present five papers at international aerospace conferences in America. While being a lot of work and quite nerve-racking at times, the enjoyment and benefit I’ve gained from these experiences is huge. In particular it gave me the opportunity to meet and discuss my work with a wide range of people from the engineering community and it has greatly improved my presentation skills.

What are your plans after you finish your PhD?

My current plans are to look for a job in industry in Bristol, I am still unsure as to where it will be though.