Ben is a 3rd year Earth Science student whose interest in the subject has grown exponentially since beginning the course in 2012. This is the first time he will have embarked on such an ambitious and far reaching trip but he is extremely excited by the prospect. Ben applied for a place on the trip partly because of what a great opportunity it is but also because he felt that he has a lot to offer the trip in terms of being an excellent player. Ben grew up in Troon on the West coast of Scotland and during this time he formed, and was a part of a moderately successful Scottish band. He took the organisational role in a band and was responsible for organising a Scottish tour, numerous recording sessions, PR for each of their releases and fundraising for all of these activities through organising gigs and charity fundraising events. Ben will bring this experience, and the skills he developed through the band to the expedition, and has begun by working in the logistics sub-team and sourcing the best deal for the teams flights.

 

​Ben is taking on the role of coordinating the numerous sponsorships and bursaries that the team will be applying to throughout the next few months leading up to the expedition. In doing so, he will be utilising his strengths and experience through managing and motivating a group with many goals. In the future Ben plans to pursue a career in Earth Science but as of yet is unsure as to what specific aspect of this broad ranging degree interests him the most. Volcanology is a subject to which he takes a keen interest and so this experience will also allow him to get a taste for a life in volcanology.