Gregg Milligan

I chose to study at Liverpool because it is a research-led university with a strong record in the sciences, particularly the environmental sciences. I was also attracted by the flexible course structure which allowed me to take a diverse range of modules that I was personally interested in. The city is pretty cool too. It has recently been redeveloped and has a good vibe about it, there is always something going on and it’s great for a night out.

I particularly enjoyed working on my Honours project. I was allowed free reign to apply much of the knowledge that I had acquired over the previous three years, though the support of my supervisor was always there for when I ran into difficulties. It is very satisfying and a proud moment when you finally finish your thesis and realize that four months ago you had nothing but an idea.

I have recently begun a PhD Fellowship offered by the Centre for Global Eco-Innovation and the University of Liverpool. Working with these two partners is great as it provides me with the opportunity to work closely with both the university and a private-sector business partner allowing my research to have direct and tangible applications in the ‘real world’.

My PhD is concerned with carbon sequestration through landscape-scale habitat creation and soil inversion. The work is thought to be of importance in relation to effecting biodiversity gains and delivering more resilient landscapes in the face of climate change impacts.

My post-graduate research is a natural progression from my undergraduate studies. My research will cover a diverse range of topics, ranging from soil processes to ecological theory and, luckily, these are subjects that I had the option to study during my BSc. My undergraduate studies also provided me with training in statistics and experimental design, two subjects that are vitally important in any scientific career path.