Profile
Peter Bickerton
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About Me:
I am a poet and a scientist: I love the natural world, art, music and history, and I use words to express that in engaging and compelling ways. I also play the piano, the ukulele, juggle, love to support Blackburn Rovers FC, and enjoy cooking delicious food!
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I live in the centre Norwich, a UNESCO World City of Literature – which is handy for a poet! From my flat I can see the huge spire of Norwich cathedral and on Saturdays, when Carrow Road is full, I enjoy hearing the crowd roar as Norwich City score.
I’m from Blackburn, a town in Lancashire, home to the greatest football team on Earth and surrounded by some of the most stunning and beautiful countryside on Earth – from Waddington Fell and the Trough of Bowland to the Ribble Valley and the Pennines. Growing up in this beautiful area gave me a lifelong love of nature and a passion for learning more about it.
I did a PhD in Plant Sciences at the University of Manchester and the Marine Biological Association in Plymouth, and now I write articles and design public engagement activities for the Earlham Institute. I’m also the Resident Poet for Thought for Food!
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My Work:
I write stories about the wonderful science that goes on at the Earlham Institute.
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I tell the stories of research at Earlham Institute to lots of different people: other scientists, students, members of the public, farmers, even the government!
Sometimes you will find me dressed as a giant bee or a pink pigeon at the Norwich Science Festival…
I am really lucky to be able to get to know the scientists working on the Darwin Tree of Life project, and work with them to help others understand how important that work is – for the good of the environment and our own health and wellbeing.
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My Typical Day:
I get up at 8.45 (unless the cricket is on, when I might get up early to watch England before work starts!).
After a cup of tea and a bacon butty, I’ll read my emails, check my to-do list, then get to work either interviewing scientists, writing news stories or articles, or designing activities.
Often, there’ll be exciting projects that we work on as a team, so I’ll meet with my colleagues to plan the most beautiful and interesting ways to tell our stories to the right people!
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Education:
Read Primary School,
Clitheroe Royal Grammar School,
University of Manchester,
Marine Biological Association. -
Qualifications:
GCSE: 9A* & 1A –
A level (A in Biology, A in Maths, A in Chemistry); AS level A in French –
1st Class Degree in Plant Science (Uni of Manchester) –
PhD in Plant Sciences (Uni of Manchester, MBA in Plymouth). -
Work History:
– Football Referee
– Education Welfare Assistant
– CD factory worker
– Barman
– PhD student
– University Lecturer
– Public Engagement Officer
– Head of Plant Science (making Plant Cubes in Germany) -
Current Job:
Scientific Communications & Outreach Manager
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My Interview
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What did you want to be after you left school?
I had absolutely no idea
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Sometimes
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Oasis
What's your favourite food?
Lamb
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
Feeling less guilty about everything, the ability to fly, 4 day weekends
Tell us a joke.
There are two muffins in an oven. One says to the other, "blimey! It's hot in here!" The other screams, "AAAAAARRRGHHH! A TALKING MUFFIN!"
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