Lancaster PhD student Julia Riley has been awarded a scholarship set up by leading physicist Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell and the Institute of Physics (IOP).

The Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund was set up to encourage diversity in physics by assisting talented students from under-represented groups to study PhD Physics.

Julia said: “It’s incredible to have won the scholarship – I don’t think it’s properly sunk in. I’ve wanted to do a PhD for a very long time but never thought there would be a way to make it happen, especially as I’m older than most PhD students. I also have a family and need to continue to work, so I’ll be studying part time. The scholarship has made it all doable, but it’s also really empowering to be recognised in this way.”

She will be supervised by Professor of Space Physics Jim Wild who said: "We are delighted to welcome Julia Riley to Lancaster University's School of Physics and Astronomy. The IOP’s Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund plays a vital role in widening participation in physics and ensuring that talented individuals can pursue their ambitions, regardless of background.

“Julia's selection is a testament to both her ability and potential, and we are excited to support her as she begins her research journey with us. The scheme reflects Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell's inspiring commitment to creating a more diverse and inclusive physics community, and we are proud to be part of that mission."

Her PhD research will focus on space weather, which could help to better protect satellites and other critical infrastructure from its damaging effects.

Julia said: “Severe space weather is now listed on the UK National Risk Register because space weather research is essential for protecting the UK’s assets and our way of life. Solar storms can damage satellites, affect their orbits and impact our power supplies. When the magnetopause is most compressed by the solar wind, satellites which are usually well shielded by the Earth’s magnetic field can suddenly become exposed to solar plasma, becoming severely damaged, so I’m particularly interested in understanding the implications for satellites and how damage might be anticipated and avoided by more effective mapping.”

She completed her first degree in Physics thirty years ago followed by a part-time postgraduate diploma in astrophysics at Queen Mary, University of London, which eventually enabled her to progress to a master’s degree in astrophysics.

“It took a while to complete, being part time and without funding, but I got there in the end, carrying by physics teaching and then onto a career in science engagement. Because of my poor performance at degree level, it’s taken a long time for me to feel that a PhD might even be feasible.”

She is currently Head of Education and Interpretation at Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement.

“It’s exciting to be at a place where research is happening and to share that with the public, with the aim of igniting the spark of inspiration. But I’ve always longed to have the chance to take part in research myself – so I’m thrilled to finally get the opportunity.”

The Bell Burnell Scholarship is named after Dame Jocelyn who was awarded the 2019 Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics for her role in the discovery of pulsars and donated her £2.3m Breakthrough prize money to the Institute of Physics to set up the Fund.

Julia said: “I’m very grateful for the support and encouragement I’ve received from Jim and his colleagues at Lancaster, and very excited to start as a Lancaster student in the autumn.”