Steph is undertaking a PhD entitled “Seabirds as sentinel species: assessing the risk of nest incorporation of marine plastic debris” funded by the SUPER DTP.

With a background in field-based research and data collection for the RSPB on various projects including; Seabirds Count, National Capercaillie Census and peatland edge effects on upland breeding birds, Steph is also involved with Forest to Bog and protected species monitoring at Forsinard Flows. 

Steph is also a volunteer for the British Trust for Ornithology and has involvement in various avian research projects including storm petrel aging and sexing methods as well as nest box selection in pied flycatchers.