Profile

Photo:

Robert Lloyd

    • About Me:

      I have a passion for lifelong learning. I became a scientist in 2022 following a career in something completely different. I completed science qualifications (a degree and a Masters) with the Open University while working, and I have a degree in Business Studies. I have volunteered in the past with the Museum of Science and Industry, an NHS hospital, The Access Project, and I have been part of a team that engages with work experience students at my place of work.

       

      I am married and I live in Burton-on-Trent, although I am originally from Buxton. I have a step-daughter and a granddaughter, and I love spending time with them.

      I do lots of running in my spare time because I like to be out and about, and I am a licensed England Athletics endurance coach. I like going to gigs, and over the last few months I have seen The Prodigy, Unkle, Linkin Park, Oasis, The Charlatans, and Imagine Dragons.

    • Read more

      I have written Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion documents in my work. I believe that we should value diversity and make opportunities accessible to people based on their skills and abilities. That is called social justice and I have worked in the area for a few years, giving people better access to public services.

      I like to learn new things, and I believe that you should never stop learning. It has enabled me to develop as a person, start a career in science, and do new and interesting things. I spent five weeks living in Lanzarote with my wife learning about dog scent detection training and mantrailing (finding missing people), with an international dog trainer. It is an experience I will never forget.

    • My pronouns are:

      My pronouns are he/him

    • My Work:

      I work as a Risk and Process Safety Scientist at the Health and Safety Executive. I work on creating a better understanding of things that could go very wrong, and affect a lot of people (known as low likelihood, high impact risks).

    • Read more

      I work on researching risks that affect important things like energy productions, oils and gas transportation, UK space launches, and hydrogen storage. It can involve understanding the chances of things going wrong, and what would happen if things did go wrong. We develop computer software using the research, so that the Health and Safety Executove understands what might happen.

    • My Typical Day:

      I am a desk scientist, so I use my computer for my work. A typical day would be locating and reviewing scientific literature, creating reports based on scientific information, and publishing reports.

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      I will typically have three or four projects at the same time. They may involve undertaking literature searches, working out what the publications are saying, and deciding if the science we use needs to be updated. I would do that by writing a report on my findings. I could also be reviewing safety information on things like oil/gas pipeline safety and UK space launches. The aim is to make sure that the people carrying out the activities are doing it as safely as possible.

    • What I'd do with the prize money:

      I would donate the money to the work experience scheme at my employer, which aims to engage school pupils in science.

    CV

    • Education:

      I attended Buxton community school, before going to High Peak College. I chose a college because I was fed up of exams and it was mainly coursework there!

      I then went to university to do a business degree. About ten years after that I did a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths, and then. a Masters in Space Science and Technology. This whole process took me 10 years because I did it part time while working full time.

    • Qualifications:

      I have nine GCSE, including English, maths and science.

      I have a business degrees from Staffordshire Univerity.

       

      I have a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths degree from the Open University.

      I have a Masters in Space Science and Technology from the Open University.

    • Work History:

      I worked in performance management in local government for 6 years. I then became a manager for 3 years in performance management at a larger local council.

      I then spent 10 years as a policy and strategy manager for a social housing provider. I learnt a lot at that job, and developed my skills massively. I have managed teams of up to 12 people, regularly presented information to the board of directors, and presented at regional and national conferences.

      I then changed my career and became a scientist with the Health and Safety Executive, where I have worked since 2022.

    • Current Job:

      I am a Risk and Process Safety Scientist and a line manager for the Health and Safety Executive.

    • Employer:

      Health and Safety Executive

    • My Interview

      • What did you want to be after you left school?

        An accountant

        Were you ever in trouble at school?

        No

        If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?

        Athletics coach

        Who is your favourite singer or band?

        Radiohead

        What's your favourite food?

        Curry

        If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!

        I am pretty happy with my life so I don’t think I’d need the wishes.

        Tell us a joke.

        No