Meet the team: Dr Catherine Isherwood and Samuel Jarvis

Today we speak with two key members of our Environmental Geoscience and Hydrology team.  Samuel Jarvis, our Assistant Environmental Consultant, is in the early years of a promising career.  Meanwhile, our Techinical Director of Environmental Geoscience and Hydrology, Dr Catherine Isherwood, has a longstanding successful career in the industry.  Read on to learn about their career journeys so far and what excites them most about the field.

What inspired you to pursue a career in this field?

Catherine - It was entirely an accident - I got my first role in EIA via a recruitment agency. I wanted a job that would let me live and work in Scotland and was offered a graduate role in Stirling. As a geology graduate, I wasn’t keen to work in the oil and gas industry so was looking for something else!

Sam - I pursued a career in this field because of a passion for the natural environment and genuine interest. Throughout my educational career, I've chosen subjects that I enjoyed, which lead me to Geography and Environmental science.

Can you share a bit about your journey to WRc?

Catherine - I was originally recruited to join the Ewan Group as a Graduate Engineer working in environmental impact assessment for wind farms and other developments. Following various mergers and acquisitions, and the resultant closure of the Stirling office, I moved to a local geotechnical consultancy, where I worked mainly in the quarrying and minerals industry as a geotechnical specialist and EIA consultant. I was subsequently head-hunted to join one of the RSK Group companies for a role as a hydrogeologist investigating impacts on groundwater from shale gas extraction, and my team was moved over to WRc shortly after RSK Group acquired WRc.

Sam - I started applying for jobs towards the end of my MSc degree. I was in South Africa at the time, looking for the next step. I don't actually remember applying to WRc, but was asked to interview. After meeting the team, and learning about the role, I knew this would be a great opportunity.

What is your current role at WRc and what problems does it solve?

Catherine - Technical Director. We specialise in environmental impact assessment relating to geology, hydrogeology, hydrology and peat, and in providing specialist advice around peat management, peat handling and peatland restoration. Our main clients are renewable energy developers.

Sam - I'm currently an Assistant Environmental Consultant, and our team (EG&H) specialises in the Geology and Hydrology EIA chapters for windfarm development. We contribute to the development of renewable energy whilst also protecting our natural environments from adverse impacts.

What aspects of your work are you most passionate about and why?

Catherine - Helping young people at the start of their careers to grow and develop in a rapidly growing industry; being part of the energy transition.

Sam - I really enjoy the technical (GIS and data analysis) and entrepreneurial (identifying markets and developing service offerings) aspects of the work we do.

How do your personal interests, values and/or background align with your work at WRc?

Catherine - Having a background in natural science, I have long been interested in the natural world and wildlife - reinforced by my parents' backgrounds and interests. A recognition and understanding of climate change has helped to drive me into an area where I feel that I can help make a difference to the energy mix and energy security of our country while also retaining and enhancing habitats and ecosystems.

Sam - I love the outdoors, and am an avid rock climber and runner. During fieldwork, we spend a lot of time traveling and in nature, so this aligns with my personal sense of adventure.

What hobbies or interests do you have outside of work that help you stay motivated?

Catherine - I sing with a Gaelic choir and compete with them in the regional and national competitions. I'm an avid reader and am never seen without a book nearby, and am part of a book group in my village. I also walk, cycle, run, kayak and garden and get a lot of pleasure from being outdoors.

Sam - Reading, climbing and running.

What future trends in your field excite you the most?

Catherine - Research into recycling wind turbines and solar panels, to help them become more sustainable. Developments in techniques for peatland restoration that are more effective in driving carbon sequestration and habitat creation.

Sam - I'm excited about development in remote sensing technologies and machine learning analysis as this was a part of my MSc degree. I’m also fascinated by peatland and wetland restoration! There are some very innovative restorative techniques being explored in the UK.