Ashley Gumsley
What do I do professionally?
Think of me as a historian, a historian of deep time, trying to understand the evolution of the Earth. I study large igneous province (LIPs). These LIPs are vast volcanic events, unlike anything we know today – they can cover a whole continent, and change the climate and cause mass extinctions. I use the remnants of LIPs in deep time to put temporal and spatial constraints on these processes.
„
Sometimes I am sitting and writing, and other times I am in the laboratory preparing or analysing my samples. I also engage in teaching and popularising events. Then of course, I have a lot of field work, mostly abroad, and laboratory work, also abroad and conferences. It is great, and a lot of variety! The University gives me a lot of freedom to pursue my scientific dreams.
My first day at work
Unfortunately I do not remember this. I do recall having to complete something I fondly remember as what I call the ‘twelve tasks of Hercules’. I had to go to many different departments and get signatures and stamps for many things. I had to find the office, hope the people were there, and complete some task so to speak, and get a stamp and signature checked off…it was funny 🙂
What suprised me?
I think one of the strangest things is the collection of keys at the office from security. You come to work, and have to take the keys each morning, and return them each afternoon. It is a bit annoying – why can’t we keep the keys, and they simply keep a spare set? Or have a card for access control, after all, we have one for the main entrance. I simply do not understand…
What I like about Sosnowiec?
Sosnowiec is underrated, and I like the fact that I don’t have to deal with traffic jams. I can walk or cycle to work, and I find Sosnowiec has almost everything I need, and I am close to Katowice if I need anything specific. It is also safe where I live, and spend my days outside with my family for the whole summer. I like Stawiki in particular – there are some dams which are quite close.