Profile
Sarah Marley
My CV
-
Education:
1998 – 2004 Westhill Academy, Aberdeenshire
2004 – 2008 University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen
2008 – 2009 University of St Andrews, Fife
2013 – 2017 Curtin University, Australia -
Qualifications:
Standard Grades: English, Maths, German, Geography, Biology, Chemistry, Administration and Graphic Design
Intermediate 2: IT and Cooking
Higher: English, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Business Management
Advanced Higher: Biology, Applied Mathematics
Undergraduate Degree: BSc Zoology (Honours)
Masters: MRes Marine Mammal Science
PhD: Applied Physics
-
Work History:
When I was in secondary school I had several different jobs, including a paper round, working in a supermarket, and teaching gymnastics!
When I was an undergraduate I worked at Tesco and Costco. I also started volunteering to get more relevant work experience. I helped run science outreach activities at the University of Aberdeen and assisted with media events for the RSPB.
Between finishing my Masters and starting my PhD, I spent several months travelling around Australia with my partner Phil. We volunteered on several different research projects studying blue whales in offshore canyons, following humpback whales on their annual migration, and looking at habitat use of bottlenose dolphins. I then worked as a science communicator for a couple of years, travelling around Western Australia doing live science shows with schools and the general public.
But I missed teaching the things I wanted to teach, so started working as a University lecturer. There weren’t many hours available, so I had to work three different jobs! Then I got a scholarship to study my PhD, so I quit two of the jobs but continued working at one of the universities on the side because I really enjoy teaching!
This helped me realise that I wanted to get a “proper” lecturing job when I finished my PhD. Now I have my dream role!
-
Current Job:
Lecturer in Marine Biology, University of Portsmouth
-
About Me:
I love studying dolphins and I also love talking about it!
-
Read more
I am originally from a small town in the north-east of Scotland, where I lived with my Mum and little sister. I always used to love exploring the local woods and looking for wildlife. Each school holidays, we would go to visit my Mum’s family by the coast. I used to enjoy sitting on the walls of the nearby coastguard station, looking for dolphins out at sea. But I had no idea I wanted to be a marine biologist, or even go to university. My parents were divorced and we didn’t have much money – it felt like university was too fancy for someone like me.
But I did surprisingly well in my exams at school and realised how much I loved learning. I decided to study biology because of my love for wildlife, even though I had no idea what job I would want at the end of it! I was accepted to study a biology degree at the University of Aberdeen, but later changed to just a zoology degree (because plants are a bit boring!). During my degree we had a field trip on a boat – it was the first time I’d ever been on one! We found a pod of dolphins and it was the most amazing experience to see them close up after years of watching them from afar as a kid. I suddenly knew what I wanted to do with my life!
Now I live in Portsmouth with my partner Phil, who is also a marine biologist. We both specialise in studying marine mammals. I love that we both have the same passion in life! The only thing we disagree on is what kind of dog to get – but I argue that I want a small dog and Phil argues that he wants a big dog!
-
Read more
I’m a marine biologist specialising in marine mammal research. In particular, I am interested in behaviour, ecology and underwater acoustics. But I also get excited about science communication and encouraging other people to take an interest in the natural world.
Originally from a wee town called Westhill in Scotland, I completed my BSc Zoology (Hons) at the University of Aberdeen in 2008. For my honours project I studied aggression in bottlenose dolphins from different populations around Scotland. After this I did a MRes Marine Mammal Science at the University of St Andrews culminating on a research project investigating the behaviour of grey seals at a haul-out site (which also turned out to be an unofficial nudist beach… oops!).
Here I met my partner and fellow marine biologist Phil (on the Masters course, not the nudist beach!). We travelled to Australia in 2010 to work on various whale and dolphin research projects, then returned in 2011 so Phil could begin his PhD at the University of Western Australia looking at mobile oceanic predators and submarine topography.
In the meantime, I was accepted for a PhD at Curtin University but unfortunately had no funding… For the next two years I toured Western Australia as a science communicator whilst looking for PhD funding and volunteering on several marine mammal projects. During this time I also worked at three different universities as a research assistant, lecturer and tutor.
I completed my PhD in 2017, publishing the results as a series of six papers. I then spent 1.5yrs undertaking some postdoctoral work at Curtin, which continued studying dolphins and marine soundscapes within the Swan River. During this time I also assisted with research projects at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) and the University of Western Australia, as well as some casual work as an Environmental Consultant involved in marine impact assessments in Australia and SE Asia.
As of August 2018, I will be undertaking a new adventure as a Lecturer in Marine Vertebrate Zoology with the University of Portsmouth. This also means moving back to the UK, which (after 8yrs Down Under) will be an adventure in itself! But I am looking forward to expanding my teaching experience, developing new materials, supervising students, and getting some exciting projects off the ground.
-
My Interview
-
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Scottish, Sarcastic, Super Geeky!
What did you want to be after you left school?
I had no idea!
Were you ever in trouble at school?
No - totally angelic!
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Taylor Swift
What's your favourite food?
Chocolate!
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
Be brave, be happy, be with friends and family
Tell us a joke.
Why did the dolphin cross the road? To get to the other tide!
-