• Question: what made you so passionate about science and what kept you motivated throughout your journey?

    Asked by anon-360909 on 23 Mar 2023.
    • Photo: Vicky Fawcett

      Vicky Fawcett answered on 23 Mar 2023:

      When I was at school I really enjoyed maths, so thought this might be something I wanted to do in the future. During my A levels I started to really enjoy Physics, so I decided to study both Maths and Physics at University.
      During University I got more into the physics, especially particle physics, nuclear physics and astronomy. I did a couple of summer projects in particle physics and astronomy and really enjoyed the astronomy project, so I decided to do a PhD in it!

      I’m still passionate about astronomy because I love exploring the space and trying to work out the mysteries of the universe!
      I’ve been motivated purely because I enjoy it!! Work is a lot easier if you enjoy it and have fun 😀

    • Photo: Lucien Heurtier

      Lucien Heurtier answered on 24 Mar 2023:

      When I was a kid I always liked to build things, find out some cool way of constructing or drawing something, I liked to grow plants, to sculpt some wood, and these activities made me wonder a lot about how nature works, what are forces, what is matter etc. I also read a lot of science fiction which made me dream a lot about the Universe 🙂

      My dad always supported my when I said I wanted to become a scientist. He always told me I would succeed and encouraged me to do the best I can. I am really grateful he did. But I know some people who were supported by their grandparents, their aunts/uncles, or even their good friends. Sometimes it’s enough to have a random person tell you you can make it to feel supported…

      Overall, what kept me motivated is to wonder ‘would I have more fun if I’d do something else?’. Until now the answer has always been no. Everytime I answered that question I thought ‘it’s really worth working hard for this then, let’s keep going!’.

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