Jodie Fisher

"As a Technician, a great deal of Jodie’s time is spent working with others, training staff and students, sharing knowledge and helping people to improve their skills and confidence, which fits perfectly with the personality type of 'Trainer'. Jodie also runs workshops, teaching geological and science concepts. She is friendly, outgoing, is really passionate about sharing knowledge and good at explaining ideas to people of all ages, so she really displays the ‘Communicator’ and ‘Campaigner’ types too."

"As an Earth Science Technician at a university, Jodie shares her knowledge and expertise in her geological field and supports students to expand their knowledge.As well as supporting the Earth Sciences staff and students in practical, research and fieldwork activities, Jodie teaches students on microfossil analysis in both geological and modern-day environments. She manages the Eearth sScience research laboratories, and provides expertise in micropalaeontological and geochemical research techniques, as well as support to palaeontological, mineralogical and sedimentological processing, imaging and analysing! She studies fossils, minerals, sediment; supports others to understand and use technical equipment used for these studies; and to analyse and understand their findings."

"Jodie did a BSc in Geology followed by an MResSc in Environmental Sciences and then a PhD on using isotopes, geochemistry and micropalaeontology to determine climate change 90 million years ago! After this, she worked as a post-doctoral research fellow, dating volcanic events in the Caribbean within the marine record using microfossils and geochemistry. She then had a career break to start a family, and took on an outreach role organising, leading and running events for the Faculty of Science, where she gained a fantastic amount of experience in outreach and science communication. From there, she took the opportunity to move back into a more geological role when her current Earth Science Technician post became available. All through her education, Jodie has been supported by technicians. She has learnt that there is more to being a technician than just having technical knowledge – you need to be good with people and to want to help them. Her role includes student support, pastoral care, practical prep, research, outreach, professional development, management, leadership, problem solving, teaching, supervision, lab management, and fieldwork. Who wouldn't want to be a technician?!"

"Jodie tries to make time to exercise, from running, sea swimming, to yoga. She loves keeping active and finding time for herself. Along with going for a night out, some nice food and a good book, she also loves travelling and exploring with her family. As a technician, Jodie often has the opportunity to help on fieldwork in places likes Wales or Dartmoor, and also to visit locations further afield such as the USA, Spain and more. She is also encouraged to attend subject specialist conferences as part of her continued professional development, which is really important.Jodie recently received an award from the Geological Society of London for her Girls into Geoscience initiative. She has been running it for 5 years and she says it was amazing to have all her hard work recognised and rewarded! In the future, Jodie hopes to have the opportunity to become a technical specialist, using her specialist skills further and continuing to work in research, teaching and outreach, alongside her technical duties."

"Every day is different for Jodie. She usually finds herself in the lab checking that everything that is needed is available and to see if anyone needs any help. She meets with students and staff for scheduled meetings, if needed, to undertake training or health and safety. She also spends time at her desk replying to emails and working on research, outreach events and activities. Jodie has such a passion for communicating science, that she also undertakes workshops and geoscience sessions for schools, and was co-founder of the Girls into Geoscience initiative, for which she runs an annual event and activities."

"A Levels Chemistry, Biology and Maths; BSc Geological Sciences University of Leicester; MRes Environmental Sciences University College London; PhD Palaeoclimates of the Cretaceous University of Plymouth"