Profile
Helena Cotterill
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About Me:
I work in Materials Science now, but I originally studied Physics as a student at Oxford University. I’m from Nottingham where I grew up with my mum, and I was the first in my family to go to university. I now live and work in Oxford with my two cats, Tia & Maria. When not doing science, I play violin, sing, and lark about on stage in various musicals!
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I’m originally from Nottingham where I lived growing up with my mum. I was lucky enough to study Physics at Oxford as an undergraduate student and I just never left! I’ve always loved science, but I also always loved music. I’ve been playing violin since I was 8 years old and still play in a few local orchestras. I also love to sing and act and am a proper musical theatre kid! I’ve been involved in lots of student productions during my time at Oxford, and still perform with the Oxford University Gilbert & Sullivan Society, most recently at the International G&S Festival in Harrogate last summer. Outside of all this I live with my 2 cats, Tia & Maria, and enjoy relaxing by reading a good book or watching a great movie with a cup of tea.
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My pronouns are:
she/they
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My Work:
I’m the Access & Outreach Manager for the Department of Materials at the University of Oxford. I organise events for students interested in science and Oxford and love to share all the amazing science that our students and researchers do!
Before that, I studied Physics here at Oxford as an undergraduate and as a graduate student researched the impact of large volcanic eruptions on our climate.
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I work for the Materials Science department at the University of Oxford as their Access & Outreach Manager. I don’t do research myself anymore, but instead I run events for students to engage them with science and get to share all the amazing research being done by our scientists.
When I was a graduate student doing research in the Physics Department at Oxford, I was looking into how large volcanic eruptions affect our weather and climate.
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My Typical Day:
My day varies quite a bit! Some days I work at home on my laptop keeping on top of things like emails and organising events (my cats love these days). Other days I’m running workshops in our labs for school students or traveling to events around the country to share our science! My usual hours are 10am – 6pm, but it is very flexible. I usually get home around 7pm, feed the cats, have some tea, and watch some TV. Some days are extra long as I have orchestra rehearsals in the evenings which usually only start at 7pm and on those days I don’t get home until 11pm!
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Education:
I went to school at Kesteven & Grantham Girls School, a state grammar school in the town of Grantham in Lincolnshire. I was there from 2005-2012 and I did my GCSE’s and A-levels there.
I then started an undergraduate degree in Physics at the University of Oxford. I was there for 4 years (2012-2016) as this was an ‘integrated Master’s’ degree, meaning I came out of that with a Master’s in Physics.
I then decided to stay on at Oxford and began doing a PhD (or DPhil as Oxford call them) in Atmospheric Physics, researching the impact of large volcanic eruptions on our climate. These degrees usually take 3-4 years, however I had to take a break halfway through. After that break, I decided that I actually didn’t want to continue doing research and instead chose to write up what I’d already done in those first 2 years and finish that off whilst working part time. I finally finished writing that in 2021 – 5 years after I started!
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Qualifications:
11 GCSE’s including Triple Science, Maths, Geography, German, and Music.
A-Levels in Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths, and Geography
Master’s in Physics
Master’s in Science (by research) – Atmospheric Physics
Also: Grade 8 violin, Grade 7 singing, Grade 5 piano
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Work History:
University of Oxford, Department of Physics: Graduate outreach ambassador (2016-2019), Quantum Materials Outreach Officer (2019-2021), Education Lead for the Zooniverse in Schools project (2020), Planetary Science Outreach Officer (2021).
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Current Job:
Access & Outreach Manager
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Employer:
University of Oxford, Department of Materials
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My Interview
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What did you want to be after you left school?
I wanted to either be a musician or present the weather on the BBC news!
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Sometimes, usually for daydreaming or missing too many classes because of music lessons or rehearsals.
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
I think that I would probably be a teacher.
Who is your favourite singer or band?
It varies - usually the cast of whatever musical I'm currently in to! At the moment, I'm also listening to a lot of Queen.
What's your favourite food?
Chinese takeaway
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
I wish I had more time to do more music, travelling, and fun things with my friends. Does that count as 3 wishes or just the 1?
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