Paige Strudwick

In 2025, inspired by Paige’s incredible work shared on Instagram, our BWA Student News Elective reached out to learn more about her journey. Here’s their interview with Paige.

What did you study at BWA?

For my A Levels I did Chemistry, Maths and Biology with an AS level in Physics.

Where did you study for University and what did you study?

I went to the University of Nottingham and did my second year on exchange at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. I studied a Bsc of Biology.

What inspired you to do this job?

I have always loved nature, wildlife and science. I learnt to dive when I was 10 years old and got certified in the Red Sea, Egypt at age 13 and grew up watching David Attenborough documentaries. I actually had dreams to become a wildlife photographer or videographer but I was encouraged to pursue veterinary medicine which I might have a better chance of getting a job in. I ended up taking a gap year in Australia and felt at home in the country, I had decided against pursuing veterinary medicine after having lots of time to think during my gap year, but but wanted to still pursue further education.

My favourite subject at school was always biology and it is a degree that can take you many places so I decided to apply to UoN for a bachelors in biology. I particularly chose UoN because it had an exchange program. When I was back in Australia on exchange I fell in love with marine biology, coral reefs and coral microbiology and knew I wanted to pursue a higher degree in that area once I completed my degree. I went on to complete my PhD at the University of Technology Sydney on coral microbiology during reef restoration and am now lucky enough to continue my research in as a Postdoctoral Research Associate with Coral Nurture Program.

What is the Coral Nature programme?

Coral Nurture Program is a research program founded by academics at the University of Technology Sydney and a Tourism operator on the Great Barrier Reef. We research ways to optimise reef restoration through coral propagation and out planting to help increase the resilience of society and the reef sites we work at to environmental stressors under climate change.

What does your job entail?

I conduct research studies from the fieldwork (SCUBA diving and underwater set ups) through to laboratory processing, data analysis and writing of reports. I manage permit applications and reporting to governing bodies. I put together grant and funding applications to continue our research. I give presentations and speeches to fellow researchers, restoration practitioners, community groups, and university and school students. I manage the Coral Nurture Program social media channels by producing and publishing content, I also produce science communication content for my personal channel. I coordinate university teaching subjects for undergraduate students and I assist HDR students in my faculty to learn lab skills.

Do you have any regrets about your job?

Not really, it is always difficult to find work-life balance when you pursue a job that you are so passionate about, it's impossible not to take it home and it bleeds into every aspect of your life whether you want it to or not. However, I would rather have terrible work-life balance and have a fire in my belly to get up every morning and channel my passion to contribute to positive impacts to our Earth's oceans than have a 9-5 job I switch off from immediately when I clock off. 

Have you ever encountered anything dangerous doing your job?

Living in Australia there are things that could eat or kill you everywhere! In one of the regions I work in our coral nurseries are 50-90cm above the sand, on one trip we encountered cone shells/snails in the sand around the nurseries these are highly venomous and potentially deadly (so this emphasised the importance of having good buoyancy underwater!). I also conduct work in the mangrove lagoons off the coast of Far North Queensland where I live and sometimes there are crocodiles and tiger sharks in this area, I've not seen one yet, but that's not to say they haven't seen me!

What is your favourite fish you have seen and why?

That's a tough one! I haven't seen many rare outstanding fish but my favourite fish are probably blue-green chromis (Chromis chromis). They appear the most beautiful shades of blue or green depending on the light, they're always schooling - sometimes above corals and sometimes inside corals - and the way they move is so mesmerising. I love them for all those reasons but also because typically they're abundant on thriving coral reefs so its always a good sign when you see them.

What is your advice to students who have a passion in this subject?

Get as much practical experience as you can, try out a range of jobs, and see what resonates with you most. I would recommend for everyone to take a gap year get boating and diving experience, communication skills, volunteer with researchers, build a network, speak to people who are in jobs or do things you admire, you might find you don't need a degree and you can forge a career from the base you build on this gap year.

Once you have more world experience and if you've decided on getting a degree and pursuing research, then speak with your lecturers and ask for opportunities to contribute to scientific publications. Scientific publications are like currency in academia and along with the skills you've built on a gap year or any other extra-curricular activities will pay dividends when you're applying for post-graduate positions or grants in the future.

Engage with Paige and explore her work through the official links in the panel on the right hand side.

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