How I chose my research field (PhD) | Summary and Q&A

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January 30, 2019
by
Simon Clark
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How I chose my research field (PhD)

TL;DR

This video discusses how the creator went from being interested in fusion research to choosing atmospheric physics as their area of research.

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Key Insights

  • 🥺 The creator initially wanted to do something related to global warming and climate change, leading them to pursue physics.
  • 💐 They found their passion for fluids flows and complexity during their physics degree, which connected back to climate and felt applicable to the real world.
  • ⛅ The creator's specific area of research in atmospheric physics was determined partly by their supervisor's expertise and partly by their interest in analytically describing physical systems.
  • 🦧 Trusting your gut and following your interest is crucial when choosing a subfield in physics.

Transcript

okay thanks video whoa what just happened so I did a video a little while ago talking about my research journey from school to PhD and a topic which I briefly touched on in that video which apparently a lot of people want to know more about is how I arrived at my area of research so for those of you who might be new to the channel my area of resear... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the creator become interested in physics and research?

The creator initially became interested in science, specifically biology, due to their fascination with dinosaurs and environmental issues. When they discovered that physics had all the cool stuff, they decided to study physics and find a way to apply it to make the environment better.

Q: Why did the creator choose atmospheric physics instead of fusion research?

The creator realized that the physics aspects of fusion were mostly settled and that they didn't have a strong passion for engineering. They found their passion for fluids flows and complexity during their physics degree, which connected back to climate and felt more applicable to the real world.

Q: How did the creator choose their specific area of research in atmospheric physics?

The creator did not have an active hand in choosing their specific area of research. They applied to Oxford with a research proposal focused on stratospheric dynamics and solar forcing, which had real impacts on climate change. Due to funding issues, they ended up at Exeter, continuing their research in stratospheric dynamics.

Q: What advice does the creator give to people who are choosing their subfield in physics?

The creator advises taking your time and being exposed to different areas of physics. Trust your gut instinct and choose the subfield that grabs your attention and makes you fall in love with it. Having knowledge of different branches of physics will help you make an informed decision.

Summary & Key Takeaways

  • The creator initially wanted to do something related to global warming and climate change, leading them to pursue a career in physics.

  • They initially planned to focus on fusion research but realized that the physics aspects of fusion were mostly settled. Their enthusiasm waned, and they kept their options open.

  • During their physics degree, they discovered their passion for fluids flows and complexity, which connected back to climate and the real world. This subject became the focus of their research.

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