Lancaster Environment Centre

Kieron Dock, PhD Environmental Science

I came to Lancaster to study for the MRes Science of the Environment and was subsequently offered a PhD with Prof Kirk Semple. A number of training modules are offered to first year doctoral students, including project management, and these provided extra support and confidence to succeed with the PhD.

First class analytical equipment and an international reputation, as well as first rate facilities for study and leisure all contributed to a memorable time in Lancaster. My supervisor provided regular support and monitored progress whilst allowing me room to develop my own research agenda. Our research group had close ties with other groups in the department, which provided added research stimulus as well as a great social environment.

I now work for Forest Research, the Research Agency for the Forestry Commission, providing UK wide support to the Forestry Commission in the regeneration of previously developed land into community woodland green spaces. My PhD training and, particularly, the publication record that I developed during my PhD studies, were vital in securing my employment.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Lancaster and was well supported throughout my time there. I recommend the University, and the town, to all."

Erika Berenguer, PhD Biological Science

I’m a Brazilian ecologist who has always been interest in tropical conservation and policy-making. The present and future state of the Amazon rainforest especially interests me. I’ve come to Lancaster because here I could find at LEC some leading tropical ecologists, like Dr Jos Barlow, who has been working in the Brazilian Amazon for more than 10 years.

According to the IPCC, global deforestation and land-use change have a great impact on climate change, and together they account for 20% of global emissions of greenhouse gases. Preventing further deforestation has been considered a highly cost-effective way to reduce emissions. My research aims to enhance our understanding of carbon stocks in disturbed Amazonian landscapes. Therefore, I’m assessing past and present-day disturbances together with current carbon stocks in a mosaic of land-uses.

Chang'er Chen, PhD Environmental Science

I chose Lancaster University because the Lancaster Environment Centre has such a high reputation in the Environmental Science field, and most importantly my supervisor is one of the most famous scientists in our field. The Centre is very international, with wide collaborations with other famous institutes all over the world, which is eye opening. The University itself has a very friendly and international academic atmosphere; all the staff including the technicians are very welcoming and helpful, even in our department there are people from more than 10 different countries.

Although the University is very young, it develops very well, not only in the natural environment, but also the academic environment. It lies in a very quiet and beautiful city, where you can concentrate on your research and study. Lancaster is also a safe and reasonably international city. You can find many restaurants offering different styles of food from various countries, and for me, I can find all ingredients from China I need for cooking.

Living in Lancaster there are many activities you can join to fill your spare time, such as many societies on campus and day trips to other places. You will not feel bored!

Guofeng Hu, PhD Biological Science

I chose Lancaster because of the superb academic opportunities on offer. Lancaster University is an institution with an outstanding reputation for the quality of its teaching and research. The best thing about my course specifically is the outstanding academics I get to work with, and I am benefitting enormously from what I learn from them.

You can get a lot of help from the University if you have any problems with your study, living and society activities. The University is doing its best to make a friendly and warm circumstance for every student, home or overseas.

Lancaster is such a nice town in which to study and enjoy a country life. I met a lot of nice people and made good friends here. I have enjoyed living here so far, it is a place to call "my second family."