Bex Turner
BIO
I’m a Masters student in Marine Environmental Protection at Bangor University (UK) and mother of a baby girl.
Instagram: @bex__turner
Bex Turner
“At times it was difficult to fit work and my baby, but it was possible.”
Working as a diving instructor gave me a deep love for coral reefs and a passion for contributing to the efforts to ensure their long-term survival. So, I returned to university when my baby was 7 months old as a ‘mature student’ to study marine biology. I recently completed an MSc in Marine Environmental Protection.
I found out I was pregnant while I was completing my dissertation and sitting my final exams, and somehow I graduated with a first-class. I worked as an educational biologist until two weeks before my baby Ari was born.
Before starting my MSc, I spent hours googling if it's possible to have a scientific career with a family. But after an encouraging meeting with the head of the MSc course, terrified, I took the plunge.
My partner worked nights and weekends, so I worked weekdays or after my baby was in bed. At times it was difficult to fit work and my baby, but it was possible. I was 100% competent, just as my peers. However, I did find it lonely sometimes.
I struggled with mom guilt, but going back to science gave me back a piece of my identity, which is very important for my family’s and my own happiness.
I often struggled with juggling being a mother, a student, a friend, and a girlfriend. It was chaos sometimes, but the course built my confidence as a scientist and a mother. Having Ari gave me the commitment and drive I needed to succeed in my studies.
I have an incredibly supportive family, partner and friends. I also met some supportive and helpful people during my degree. Although it has been difficult, my experience of being a mother in science was mostly positive, with most people being nothing but supportive. I hope I can encourage everyone in the same position to pursue their dreams and believe in their abilities.
I wish I had this resource and had read the incredible stories of the women in this community before. When I started my degree, I just hoped to get through. I surpassed my dreams, received a distinction and produced work that I'm very proud of.
I'm just at the beginning of my scimom journey, my aim is to do a PhD in coral reef ecology, so hopefully (touch wood) there are lots more to come!