Gill

Head of Environmental Studies

What is your job and how did you come to work for English Heritage?
I worked as an archaeobotanist at Oxford University before coming to work for English Heritage. I was first employed to work on plant remains and now I manage the team as well.
 
Do you have a typical day?
No! I could be out on site or back at Fort Cumberland, near Portsmouth, where I am based. We have a vast collection of plant remains here, so I might be using the collection to analyse material from site. I also provide advice to people working in the Historic Enviornmental Sector as well as members of the public. I'm one of the team who organises National Archaeology Days at Fort Cumberland, so yesterday I was talking to a Flint knapper who is coming to do a demonstration.
 
What does it feel like to work for English Heritage?
It is a challenge to work for EH, but I like a challenge. I have to juggle a lot of different work, but that gives variety and interest to my days. I also have to be able to switch modes - one moment I'll be talking to a professor and the next explaining archaeology to a child or a member of the public. There is never a dull moment!

Working at Fort Cumberland makes you very aware of the weather! We are right next to the sea, so in the summer it is very picturesque, but in the winter there are no lunch time ice creams on the beach!!