Vicky Bowskill
“Hi, I’m Vicky and I’m a PhD researcher at the Open University studying the sustainable management of floodplain meadows for nature friendly farming. This speaks to my passions for both nature and healthy food systems, whilst also giving me plenty of inspiration for my creative side.
I am a mature student, having been delayed in my education by unrecognised neurodiversity. I was diagnosed with Irlen’s Syndrome in my late teens – after I left education – and finally discovered my full story with diagnoses of dyslexia, dyspraxia and autism after starting my PhD more than two decades later. I’m still processing this alongside my research and learning how to work with my neurotype for the first time, instead of against it.
Irlen’s Syndrome and dyslexia make reading difficult because text shifts and shimmers as I try to read it. Coloured backgrounds help, but it’s still hard work. With adjustments, I can enjoy reading and writing, with science communication being the perfect outlet. I’m sure being autistic and having an unusual way of seeing the world feeds both my science and my creativity and I started a blog inspired by research at www.vickybowskill.com.
I’m interested in finding the underlying structures and patterns in natural systems and my fieldwork will be uncovering the way that nutrients move through the meadow during the growing season, from the soil, into the plants and ultimately the hay crop. This influences both biodiversity within the meadow and the value of the hay crop as part of a nature friendly farming system.
Being neurodiverse brings with it many challenges in navigating the world of work and/or academia (and life generally), but things are now changing with increasing awareness and inclusion for all kinds of diversity. It can be difficult to be open about hidden diversity, but I have benefitted hugely from the openness of others in writing or talking about their experiences and I feel it’s important to play my part by doing the same.“
Instagram: @vicky_bowskill
Twitter: @Vicky_Bowskill
Website: www.vickybowskill.com
