Stephen Kirk

Life before Leeds

Stephen finished his undergraduate degree down in Norwich and had started to plan his next steps in academia, explaining that “I had a passion for climate change and heard news about this emerging course from Leeds called Climate Futures which a few friends mentioned to me.”

I applied to the MSc and everything fell into place!

He grew up in nearby Harrogate so knew Leeds relatively well: “I always enjoyed the vibe of the place, the people and range of things and opportunities the city had on offer, it also meant I was closer to family, friends and outdoor spaces that I really value. So, I applied to the MSc and everything fell into place!”

Standout lecturers

Throughout his course, Stephen has really rated the enthusiasm of his lecturers, saying “The passion of the lecturers in the course has really elevated my time at Leeds. They have brought in an informed and inclusive approach to teaching and assessments which has made the learning and assignments feel more like tasks you would have in a real-world scenario.” He notes that the experience felt more like a collaboration to learning and growth over the “standard top-down” teaching methods you might see elsewhere.

The passion of the lecturers in the course has really elevated my time at Leeds.

Stephen’s group presenting their Climate Change Risk Assessment assignment

Exciting projects

The Climate Futures course allows opportunity for students to take part in a plethora of sustainability-focussed projects throughout the year. Stephen explains “One of my favourite components of the course was our Mock Conference of the Parties (COP) where we role played the UNFCCC COP negotiations. It was intense but provided an insight into the struggles a multinational, intergenerational negotiation space can bring around solving climate change.”

It was intense but provided an insight into the struggles a multinational, intergenerational negotiation space can bring around solving climate change.

Other project highlights for Stephen were a trip to Wales where the cohort visited the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT), helping to measure carbon capture of forests at Gair Wood, Leeds, and a group study on climate modelling in which they focussed on the impact of reducing and stopping animal agriculture in China – the world’s largest meat producer. 

Centre for Alternative Technology hike

 

Course cohort at Gair Wood with Dr Cat Scott

Future ambitions

Stephen feels that all his experiences at Leeds will be helpful in his future career, explaining that “the range of world-based skills from assignments such as the rapid evidence assessment, climate modelling, research skills etc. provide experience that give me a head start in a range of future careers.”

He hopes to eventually complete a PhD on climate change and human society, “focussing on the intersection and how we can solve the climate challenge while ensuring peoples’ need are met within planetary boundaries.” In the meantime, Stephen has ambitions to work in the public or development sector.

I would suggest that this course is highly valuable as it provides a systemic whole-picture view

Stephen encourages “For those interested in learning about the science and human dimensions of climate change, their intersections and how we can solve the climate crisis, this course is for you. Even for someone who wants to focus on one side of this (such as human or environmental science), I would suggest that this course is highly valuable as it provides a systemic whole-picture view to the issue and allows for more interconnected and multisectoral approaches to research and understanding of the issues and solutions!”

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To find out more about studying in the School of Earth and Environment view our Postgraduate courses.