Profile
Rachel Manning
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About Me:
I live in Devon and have 3 chickens (I can see them from my home office window!). I work at Exeter University as a researcher, which I love. I spend all of my free time riding and racing mountain bikes!
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My pronouns are:
she/her
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My Work:
I work at the University of Exeter, which is fantastic! I am Human Geographer, and I look at how young people experience different places and how different places make them feel. At the moment I am researching how learning in nature makes young people feel. I work with outdoor education organisations to help them design education programmes that are good for young people’s wellbeing!
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My Typical Day:
I wake up and go and feed my chickens, and check for eggs! I start work at about 8 am – I do something different every day. At the moment, I am writing lots of reports and articles about the results of my research. Sometimes I will be doing research where I interview people and have group discussions. This means I will also have to analyse the data I have. I have lunch, I try to have it outside and then it is back to work! I normally arrange meetings in the afternoon (so that I don’t fall asleep!). I finish work at 5.30 and then go out for a bike ride!
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What I'd do with the prize money:
Engagement activities for Human Geography, such as mock research days. It is often underlooked but can lead to so many opportunities! It’s not always about white lab coats and pipettes.
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Education:
I went to school at Chulmleigh Community College, where I was very well-behaved and got good exam results! I then went to Petroc College to do my A-levels, where I was very naughty and nearly got kicked out. I changed to do a BTech in Outdoor Education and loved it! I then did a Foundation Degree in Outdoor Education at Truro College, before doing 1 year at Plymouth University to gain a full degree in Education Studies. After that, I did an MSc in Education for Sustainable Development. I worked for a while and then did my PhD in Human Geography at Exeter University.
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Qualifications:
I got 13 GCSEs, ranging from C to A*.
I failed all of my AS Levels! (I only attempted 3 because I didn’t go to my lessons so was made to drop one).
I have a BTech with Merit in Outdoor Education
FdSC with Merit in Outdoor Education
BA in Education Studies 2:1
MSc in Education for sustainable Development: Merit
PhD in Human Geography
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Work History:
I worked in a lot of pubs when I was younger, washing dishes and as a waitress!
During the summers at college and at university, I would go abroad to teach windsurfing and sailing. I went to Italy, Turkey and various different places in Greece.
During my Masters, I worked part-time as a waitress. After my masters, I worked as an associate lecturer at Plymouth University, and as education manager for a company called Education through Expeditions. I then worked as a Research Assistant for the Centre for Sustainable Futures.
After that, I worked for a charity called Sustrans as Sustainable Travel Officer. It was great fun getting kids out on bikes from their schools!
I then did my PhD, and after that, I worked for CoachBright. I organised the Primary School tutoring programme to help children catch-up on their learning after Covid. I then went to work as a researcher at Plymouth University, looking at Higher Education for Sustainable Development, now I am at my current position in Exeter!
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Current Job:
I work at the University of Exeter on a research project funded by the Economic and Social Research Council. I am researching how young people feel about spending time in nature for Geography and Biology fieldwork. I am also looking at how outdoor education providers feel about helping young people feel comfortable in the natural environment. This involves interviewing people and carrying out group discussions. I also have to do a lot of writing!
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Employer:
University of Exeter
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
bike-mad geographer
What did you want to be after you left school?
Fire fighter
Were you ever in trouble at school?
I was very well behaved!
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
Gardener
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Bonobo
What's your favourite food?
Cereal
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
To be a professional cyclist, have my own house, for all my friends and family to be happy and content
Tell us a joke.
What is an alligator in a vest called? An investigator
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