Profile
Sam Rogerson
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About Me:
I live with my partner in Dunblane (Scotland). When I’m not finding insects in the woods 🌳🪲 or analysing data on the computer 🖥️, I’m playing video games 🕹️, board games🎲, or spending time in nature 🦆
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I grew up in Lochmaben, Dumfries and Galloway with my two older sisters and loads of pets. I went to Lockerbie Academy where my favourite subjects were biology 🧑🔬 and music 🎶. I played the drums for 8 years and have been passionate about music ever since!
I don’t play many sports, but I love hiking, mountain biking, and spending time outdoors. When it’s raining me and my partner will play board games (our favourite is Wingspan!), paint, or watch movies together!
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My pronouns are:
he/him
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My Work:
I’m a PhD student who studies insects in woodlands planted by people. Our country is planting lots of new woodlands to help animals and climate change, and my job is to look at how successful they are!
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One of the biggest questions we don’t know the full answer to is: “Where do we plant new woodlands to improve nature?”. Creating new woodlands is a lot more challenging than planting trees and letting them grow wherever we want! Our country is covered in farmland, towns, cities, rivers, lochs, and moorlands, so it’s important to consider these when planting.
I go to woodlands and measure the trees, identify the insects, and count the plants (and loads more!). I then use maths and numbers (all done by the computer; I’m terrible at maths!) to work out which woodlands have more insects and why! Hopefully, in the future, the government will use my science to create better woodlands!
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My Typical Day:
I wake up and skip breakfast, usually arriving at 9-10am at the University. I spend most of the day on the computer doing statistics, writing, or planning experiments. I have lunch with my friends and sometimes teach in the afternoon. I’m usually back home at 5pm and spend the night relaxing!
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As a PhD student, my work changes day-to-day! Some days, I’ll do a lot of teaching, spend time doing experiments outside, or help other people with their work. One of the benefits of being given money for research is that I can take helpful courses. Right now I’m taking a graphic design course to make beautiful posters and presentations!
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I would love to get a camera to start recording educational and engaging videos about insects for TikTok and youtube! I’ve been told I’d be really good at it 🙂
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Education:
I went to Lockerbie Academy and developed my passion for science and teaching there. In biology class we had to do our own small research project – which is basically what I do now just on a bigger scale!
I originally wanted to study teaching and biology and Stirling University, but I didn’t get in! Instead, I went to Edinburgh Napier University and studied Animal Biology. At Napier, I developed my passion for entomology (the study of insects!) and wanted to work with them all the time.
I graduated with a good grade and was able to start my PhD after a few years out of University!
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Qualifications:
These are the grades I got in School:
Advanced Higher Music – A
Advanced Higher Biology – Failed!
Music – A
Biology – A
History – A
Computing – B
Psychology – C
Maths (Intermediate 2) – B
English – B
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Work History:
I started working at quite a young age cleaning the local sailing club. I then worked at an animal rescue for around a year before getting a job stacking shelves at Tesco when I was 16. While I was at University I worked through summer and winter holidays at a hotel as a porter (setting tables, chairs, and serving meals) and did some dog walking.
After University I worked as an ecological consultant, doing surveys for bats, badgers, barn owls, otters, and newts before any construction work was allowed!
In 2021 I managed to get a job as a research assistant at Stirling University – my favourite job ever! I spent 2 years outside and in the lab, collecting and identifying insects for science project.
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Current Job:
After working as a research assistant for 2 years I managed to get a PhD at Stirling University. I have been given money to produce some original science over the next 3 years, and if I can do it, I’ll be a doctor!
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Employer:
My Employer is the University of Stirling but also the tax payer! I absolutely love Stirling University – it’s a fantastic place to live and study.
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
excited bug-lover!
What did you want to be after you left school?
biology teacher
Were you ever in trouble at school?
yes - a lot!
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
professional musician
Who is your favourite singer or band?
AC/DC
What's your favourite food?
Pizza
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
more money, a small farm, electric car
Tell us a joke.
What do you call a fly without wings? A walk.
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