Profile
![Photo:](https://imaproject.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/SeaweedAndMe.png)
Jack Sewell
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About Me:
I am Senior Science Interpreter at the Marine Biological Association who loves the ocean, nature and wildlife.
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I grew up in a village in Somerset, and now live just outside Plymouth with my wife, three kids and army of stick insects. As well as working at the Marine Biological Association in Science Communication and outreach, i also work part time as a professional artist, illustrator and writer.
I can play the ukulele a bit and enjoy zombie films, swimming and anything that involves being in, on or under the sea.
My pronouns are he/him.
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Much of my role includes organising, planning and delivering events and outreach activities. This includes a number of regular annual events, such as work experience programmes, BioBlitz events and open laboratory days. I also develop and run citizen science projects such as Crab Watch and Marine invaders. I use a range of skills to schedule, develop and promote these activities safely, effectively and within budget.
I am always looking for new ways to bring people in to the world of marine biological science and share how important and amazing it is.
I love working collaboratively with creative people as well as other scientific disciplines to explore different ways to approach challenges and ways to engage new audiences through events, projects and resources and am particularly excited by the potential for citizen science to increase participation in and support for science.
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My Typical Day:
My job is incredibly varied and in the 19 years I’ve been at the MBA, no two weeks have been the same.
One day I may be in a park working with young people, playing games that introduce participants to scientific concepts, the next I may be writing scientific reports or speaking at conferences to policy makers and industry professionals about non-native species. -
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I must say (and it’s not very glamorous) that I do spend a lot of my day – particularly in covid times- working on a computer, organising and running online events and planning new initiatives for the future. Whilst this was still a big part of my job pre-covid, I would typically spend the equivalent of a day or two of each week (I work 4 days a week currently) running activities and events. These may involve travel, usually around the UK but sometimes further and sometimes early mornings or late evenings and weekends. The types of event might include shore-based surveys, BioBlitz events, training workshops, school visits and activities at community events.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
Buy a new camera & adapter and lighting for our teaching microscope and camera, to capture and share incredible images and video clips of microscopic marine creatures with people who wouldn’t otherwise get to see them!
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Education:
Churchill Community School, North Somerset, UK
University of Plymouth, Devon, UK
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Qualifications:
9 GCSEs C or above.
A level – French (very useful for collaborative international projects), Geography (very useful for ecology, but also the applied side of science) and Biology (Vital I think!)
Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology BSc Hons – a good base in science, building on my interest in ecology but bringing in a broad range of scientific skills.
MSc Coastal and Ocean Policy – Great for connecting marine science to the ‘real world’ learning about policy, law, ethics, conservation and science communication among many other important areas.
NVQ3 Environmental Conservation – Lots of practical skills learned during graduate placement with the MBA set me up for my current career and included skills such as running events and activities with groups and conservation/ study of natural places.
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Work History:
- Paper round for several years
- Kitchen porter in a restaurant
- Waiter and barman in a village pub
- double glazing sales (for 2 weeks – I didn’t like it!)
- Education and outreach trainee with the MarLIN (Marine Life Information Network) team at the MBA.
- Education and Outreach Officer at the MBA (full time for lots of years!)
- Training Resources manager at the MBA
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Current Job:
- Senior Science Interpreter – currently part time – 4 days per week
- Self employed artist part time
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My Interview
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What did you want to be after you left school?
Something to do with fish..
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Of course not......
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Rancid, Dropkick Murphys, Nirvana, SOAD
What's your favourite food?
Steak & Chips, FRESH mackerel, calamari or MBA carrot cake
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
Time machine - Infinite money - immortality
Tell us a joke.
what's orange and sounds like a parrot? A carrot
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