I'm a PhD student at the University of Leicester, specialising in sedimentology, palaeobiology and palaeoclimatology. My project is focused on anthropogenic signals in marine sediments, particularly distribution of microplastics. Additionally, there are strong links with international law and we hope that by feeding back our research directly to people influencing policy we can influence positive political change. I have been interested in marine pollution ever since I can remember, and I am excited to be contributing towards work in this field. The concept of the Anthropocene is also fascinating in its own right; imagining how Homo sapiens as a species might produce a unique component of the geological record highlights the impact of our lifestyle on the natural environment.