Volcanology and the Environment - MSc

“Lancaster Environment Centre has one of the largest groups of Volcanologists in the country, carrying out world leading, cutting edge research. Upon meeting Dr Hugh Tuffen (MSc course director) for the first time, I was blown away by his enthusiasm for the subject and also by the depth of volcanology research that Lancaster conducts.

For me, some of the many highlights of studying for an MSc in Volcanology and Geological Hazards were attending field courses in the Lake District and at Mt Etna in Sicily, as well as undertaking exciting and novel research, whilst being given guidance and inspiration from supervisors who are leaders in their field. During my research, I utilized the thermal laboratory at Lancaster Environment Centre to try to understand more about the processes of bubble growth in magma. I presented the findings from my final research project at the 2013 Volcanic and Magmatic Studies group meeting and was awarded the Geoff Brown prize for best student poster.

I am now undertaking a PhD at Royal Holloway, University of London which aims to contribute to our understanding of how volcanoes collapse. I am sure that the training received and skills learnt at Lancaster University greatly enhanced my application for PhD programmes and equipped me well for my on-going research.”