Explore Careers in Water with the Environment Agency – Panel Q&A session
Tuesday 7 July 2026, 12.00-1.00pm, MS Teams
The event is free to sign up for, and even though the session has a particular industry focus (in this case the Environment Agency), the session will cover:
- How the panel members transitioned from a PhD study into the Environment Agency
- The value of a Phd in their current roles
- Key transferable skills from academia in applied environmental work
- Tips for navigating the application processs
- Managing setbacks and uncertainty in career development
- Why the Environment ant Agency is an excellent option for posdocs
There will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions and gain honest, practical insights. Whether you’re considering a move into policy, applied science, or public sector environmental work, this event offers valuable perspectives and inspiration. Come along to connect, learn, and explore your next career step!
Session format
The panel Q&A session will take place online via Microsoft Teams and will be recorded.
The panel will consist of professionals working at the Environment Agency, including Ruth Pengelly, Dr Alison Turner, Dr Hebe Carmichael, Dr Tabatha Olney, Dr Tom Coekin and Saman Hashemi.
Panel introduction
Ruth Pengelly is a Training & Skills Advisor in the Water Training & Skills Team at the Environment Agency. She has been in this role for nearly 4 years and works on upskilling staff, providing training and development opportunities, and career outreach with universities.
She holds an academic background in BSc Geography and MSc Biodiversity Conservation, as well as a PGCE, and has experience in environmental charity work, teaching and the civil service. Her career interests include organisational learning and development theory, developing training, career entry, sustainability and the environmental sector
Dr Alison Turner is a Training, Development and Resilience Advisor in the Water Training and Skills team at the Environment Agency. Alison specialises in curating learning and development in technical disciplines, with a strong focus on effective teaching approaches and accessible learning design. Alison brings expertise in water chemistry and environmental geochemistry, alongside experience from academia and environmental consultancy.
Having previously spent a decade at the University of Plymouth as a Lecturer in Chemistry and Environmental Geochemistry, Alison combined interdisciplinary teaching with a clear emphasis on applied learning and employability—supporting students to translate academic knowledge into real-world environmental practice.
Her consultancy background includes work in mining geochemistry, which was her PhD subject, environmental risk assessment, water quality analysis, and environmental impact assessment. Alison now applies this combined experience to develop training that bridges science, policy and practice, with an emphasis on inclusive and effective learning design.
Dr Hebe Carmichael is a Chemical Evidence Advisor in the Evidence Synthesis Team at the Environment Agency. She joined the Agency in 2024 in the Chemicals Assessment Unit, working on authorisations under UK REACH, before moving to her current role in September 2025. Her work supports environmental regulation and decision-making relating to water quality and chemical risks. She uses statistical and data-driven approaches to extract insights from environmental monitoring data, with a particular focus on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
Hebe completed a PhD at the University of Exeter in 2024, where she studied the effects of multiple stressors on freshwater microbial communities. She developed expertise in multivariate statistical modelling, working with large and complex datasets, and problem-solving, all of which are central to her current role. She particularly values applying her freshwater science background and research skills to support environmental decision-making and deliver real-world impact.
Dr Saman Hashemi is a Water Resources Modeller in the National Water Resources Modelling team at the Environment Agency. She has been in this role for 2 years and works on modelling to inform strategic planning and decision-making in water resources, with a focus on assessing the impacts of large-scale strategic resource options. Her work supports water company modelling and helps regulators and policymakers understand national-scale consequences, including identifying the most resilient selection of supply options under different drought scenarios. Saman is also providing CFD and hydraulic modelling supports on these schemes.
Saman holds an academic background in Geography from the University of Leeds, focusing on designing flows downstream of dams to improve river ecology, and previously completed a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering – River Engineering. She also has three years of consultancy experience as a hydrology and hydraulic advisor. Her career interests include water resources, modelling, and using data to inform decision-making.
Dr Tabatha Olney is a Water Resources Modeller in the National Water Resources Modelling team at the Environment Agency, a role she has held for just over a year. Her work informs strategic planning and decision-making in water resources, with a particular focus on assessing the impacts of large-scale strategic resource options. Her modelling insights support water company modelling, and help regulators and policy makers understand consequences of decisions at a national scale.
Tabatha completed a PhD in Quantum Physics at the University of Birmingham in 2025. Despite moving to a new field, the core skills she developed during her PhD, such as understanding complex systems, working with large datasets, and problem-solving have proved highly transferable and are central to her current role. Her career interests include water resources, modelling, and using data to inform decision-making, with a particular focus on making technical insights accessible to non-technical audiences.
Dr Tom Coekin is the Bathing Waters Technical Lead at the Environment Agency, where he leads nationally significant work on the monitoring, assessment, and improvement of bathing water quality. His role involves overseeing complex investigations, interpreting environmental and microbiological data, and working with partners to manage risks to public health.
He holds a degree in Biochemistry and a PhD in Chemistry, where his research focused on the recombinant production of spider silk and its potential application in chronic wound healing. Through this, he developed strong skills in experimental design, advanced data analysis, and translating complex scientific concepts into practical outcomes.
Following his studies, Tom gained a breadth of experience in varied roles, including working within the coroner’s service and managing a coffee roastery business, before joining the Environment Agency in 2022 as a Water Quality Officer in the East Midlands. He progressed rapidly to a Technical Specialist role in 2023, and in 2024 was appointed Bathing Waters Technical Lead.
Tom brings together a strong scientific background with practical, real-world experience, allowing him to approach environmental challenges with both technical rigour and a pragmatic, solutions-focused mindset.
Who can attend
This session is aimed at postdocs and postgraduate researchers across the UK.
Sign up here