'Bat Man' Graduate Defending British Wildlife
15 January 2013
Biology graduate Mark Weston hard at work undertaking a species survey
I am delighted to be graduating from Derby today and I am very proud to be receiving the Society of Biology prize. My learning experience at Derby has been fantastic and I would like to express my sincere thanks to everyone who has supported me throughout.
”Mark Weston
A graphics professional who had designs on a change of career is now a fledgling ecologist after completing a Conservation Biology degree at the University of Derby.
Former graphic designer Mark Weston, from the Staffordshire Moorlands, graduates on Thursday (January 17) among more than 2,500 other University of Derby students during two days of Annual Awards Ceremonies held at Derby's Assembly Rooms. He will also collect a Society of Biology prize in recognition of his academic achievements.
Mark is now working as a freelance ecologist specialising in bat ecology, undertaking protected species surveys in buildings and specific locations. He credits his successful change of career to his Derby studies and the relentless hours he spent undertaking voluntary conservation work over the last few years.
Mark said: "I've been fascinated and awestruck by the complexity and diversity of nature ever since I was a child. However, and after a number of preliminary career inquiries, I discovered that despite my enthusiasm and self-learning, I would need to improve my academic qualifications to be a successful and competent contender within this sector.
"I enrolled on a BSc (Hons) Conservation Biology degree at Derby to enhance my understanding and articulation of the fundamentals, and supplemented my studies with lots of voluntary work with local nature societies and ecological consultancies whilst trying to maintain my 'day job' in the graphics industry.
"Carrying out voluntary conservation work such as habitat and protected species surveys for bats, Great Crested newts, badgers and water voles really enhanced my learning and practical experience in the field. It also enabled me to gain my protected species licenses, which are a pre-requisite for working as an ecologist and are an essential accompaniment to my degree.
"I would advise anyone with similar aspirations to get plenty of experience in the field through voluntary work while embarking on their studies, as most organisations regard voluntary experience as a prerequisite," added Mark.
Mark now carries out surveys and assessments of planning developments such as buildings and bridges, to ascertain whether rare or endangered bats inhabit them. He then puts forward recommendations to local planning authorities and government organisations based on his findings.
"I am delighted to be graduating from Derby today and I am very proud to be receiving the Society of Biology prize. My learning experience at Derby has been fantastic and I would like to express my sincere thanks to everyone who has supported me throughout. I would particularly like to thank my programme leader Dr Graham Rowe, and my Independent Study supervisor Dr Mark Bulling;" added Mark.
Lecturer in Biological Sciences, Mark Bulling, said: "Mark Weston took on an ambitious independent study topic. During the project there were several setbacks, but he characteristically dealt with these with a mixture of enthusiasm, determination and ability. The result was a project and report of exceptionally high quality."
For more information on studying Biology at the University of Derby visit www.derby.ac.uk/science/biological-sciences
