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• Sea level and tidal scientist: Angela

Sea level and tidal scientist: Angela

This Case Study belongs to Oceanographer.

Angela earned her degree in oceanography, climate studies and physical geography from the University of Liverpool. She is currently a sea level scientist and tidal analyst for the National Tide and Sea Level Facility at the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory (POL) in Liverpool. She is also pursuing her PhD.

My job is to take information from the UK’s 44 tidal gauges and analyse the data. As well as studying underlying trends in sea levels, we look at surges and other tidal extremes. The data is used by government agencies, such as the Met Office and the Environment Agency, to feed into the models they use for weather and sea level predictions.

Much of what I do is computer-based - running programmes and looking at new ways to analyse data and understand sea level variability and the tides. I contribute to a high quality dataset which is available for use by sea level scientists around the world and feeds into climate adaptation policy.

From time to time there are opportunities to get out in the field. At POL, this is mainly in the Irish Sea, but as part of my PhD, I have spent some time on a research cruise in Bahamian waters. I’m coming to the end of my PhD on sea levels in polar regions. This interests me because polar ocean processes have a strong influence on global climate.

Before starting my degree, I worked in a bank for several years. I then started an Open University degree in natural sciences. I became so interested in it that I decided to study a full time BSc in Oceanography, Climate Studies and Physical Geography at Liverpool University. I found the maths on the course quite a challenge. It would have been useful to have maths A-level.

I found it was a real asset that I’d worked before starting university. Skills like time management and report writing were invaluable, especially as I had my first child during my degree. I had to be very disciplined, but I was determined to succeed.

My PhD has been supervised jointly by Liverpool University and POL. I was funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). I was successful in getting my job due to the self-confidence I’d gained through opportunities to give presentations and make contacts.

In my job, it is important that I am doing something which I feel is valuable and of concern to a lot of people. I am always learning and it’s exciting to be making discoveries. For example, while studying for my PhD, I found that changes in wind direction in the stratosphere over the equator can affect sea levels in polar regions.

To anyone thinking of oceanography, I would say a broad-based first degree will give you a good grounding. You will be able to specialise later. I also feel it’s important to remember that no problems are insurmountable. You just need to ask. University staff are there to help you succeed.

Case Study sourced by Susanne Christian of AGCAS, 18 December 2009.