Welcome back to #WNBiPonWednesdays! For our latest interview, we spoke to Master’s student, Anubha, who is currently studying on the QFFF (Quantum Fields and Fundamental Forces) course. Thank you for your time Anubha!
As an introduction, describe your path into physics, what kickstarted it?
I had actually wanted to be a lawyer for a long time. I was quite headstrong and vocal about my opinions (not much has changed!), and my strongest subjects had always been the humanities in school so it felt like the appropriate career path. I didn’t pay much attention to science or maths as I felt I wasn’t “naturally” good at them. When I studied (Scottish) Higher Physics (Year 12 equivalent), we had a brief introduction to Special Relativity, and I started enjoying it much more after that. I still felt that physics didn’t seem to come “naturally” to me, but I was lucky to have very supportive teachers who suggested that I could be a scientist if I wanted to. I started dedicating more time to trying to really understand maths and science rather than just studying for the exams, and the more I did, the more I enjoyed them and the easier it became to do well. My decision to study physics over law was quite an impulsive one after that, and it’s the best decision I ever made!
What was your favourite part of your undergraduate journey?
I especially enjoyed being able to collaborate with my peers on the course. I think working on problems and projects together and learning how other people think has been the most important part of my education. I have learned so much just from talking to friends! If I had to choose something more specific, I would say the opportunity to do UROP projects has been my favorite part. The time spent over summers working on real research, and being able to learn from PhD students and supervisors really sparked my interest in pursuing a career in theoretical physics.
What made you decide to do the separate masters route over the integrated masters?
In the second year of undergraduate, we had a course in Quantum Mechanics, taught by Professor Fay Dowker, and it was absolutely the highlight of the year for me. Her lectures were so inspiring and fun that I decided I’d like to pursue theoretical physics. The QFFF course is highly specialised, and a good challenge. It really is a privilege to be able to study nature so deeply. With my ambition to pursue a PhD in theoretical physics and eventually a research career, I thought it would be an ideal stepping stone. After the final exams, the course allows us to dedicate a few months to only our master’s projects over the summer, which I am most looking forward to.
What motivates you to write for Felix? And what made you get involved to start with?
While I didn’t end up in the humanities, I am still passionate about topics like women’s liberation and politics more broadly – I think it is important to be aware and engaged with these things as a scientist too. Felix has an opinion column, and I contribute pieces here, and sometimes to the Science section too. I enjoy being challenged, and the pieces I write have led to many fruitful debates and discussions! It isn’t easy being a woman and minority in this field, and I also feel that writing about not only feminism more generally, but incorporating my own experiences gives me an outlet to express myself freely in a productive way, and it also helps me to clarify my own views and learn about new ones!
If you could speak to your GCSE-self, what advice would you give her?
Pay attention in maths – you’ll wish you had sooner. And don’t doubt yourself – “natural” ability is ill-defined anyway!