Thread by @jurassicg1rl

As a recipient of RH Worth Medal from @geolsoc, I have written a statement of thanks to all of whom I am indebted to. I may have missed people, so apologies but you are all in my heart & memory. TL/DR Cheers everyone, this was for my daughter Sarita 💖
geolsoc.org.uk/About/Press-Of…

Thank you for this incredible honour @geolsoc. For me it marks an important milestone in my career that I have dedicated to helping ppl of all ages learn abt rocks, fossils and landforms. That journey began with Helen Hastings, my Geography teacher @UCGSchool, she inspired me 🤩

I owe a debt of gratitude to my Ph.D. advisors Prof Jane Hart & Prof Tony Payne & @UoSGeogEnv where I learnt how to be a creative, resilient scientist. A skill that guides me today. In the interview, they asked my fave paper. It is by Stanley Schumm on Thresholds of Change 🤓

In the US, the @TimpCaveNPS team taught me how to engage ppl w/ nature. I never forgot the kindness of Prof Ron Bruhn, Prof Katrina Moser, Prof Rick Forster, Prof @MobileHarv, Prof Julia Morgan, Prof @robinbell, Prof Richard Alley, Dr Robert Bindschadler as a young PostDoc. TKU💚

2 ppl were instrumental in my development at Jurassic Coast. David Weatherly taught me how to bring Geography alive for teachers. Richard Edmonds showed me how to make geology engaging. They were huge influences on me. Without them I would not be the storyteller I am today ☺️💞

Thx also to my colleagues of past - Sally, Julia, Ben, Katie, Alex, Ness, Bridget, Tilda, Steve and countless other folks who I worked with @DorsetCouncilUK @DevonCC. I learnt much from you & I flourished with your support & solidarity in times of hardship 🙏🏾🥰

Prof Denys Brunsden & Tim Badman helped achieve WHS status for the Jurassic Coast. Through their leadership & encouragement, they helped me bring my work to a global stage. Later @annebe78 helped me realise this vision when she was at @UNESCOUK - we made a great team! 🥰✌️🏾

I am a creative scientist, but @DarrellWakelam @thegobbledegook @Rusticglitz helped open my mind to how the Arts could be used to interpret geology & geography. Their influence on me & my work has been enormous. Their friendship & solidarity, essential to my wellbeing. Love you❤️

1000's of educators like Judith Wardlaw have inspired me over the years, but so have children & young people. Of them all, I was proud of @ThomasHearing flourish from a curious school kid to leading Earth Scientist. Tom - thank you for helping me to see the impact of my work 🙌🏾

Key organisations like @RGS_IBG @pstt_whyhow @GeolAssoc supported my work through the years. I am indebted to them, esp @SteveBraceGeog @kulvinderj @CarolSampey @AlisonEley @LynneBianchi Jonathan Larwood. Thank you for your unending support for the Big Jurassic Classroom! 👏🏾

To museums, VC, outdoor ed centres across the #JurassicCoast - thank you. Without your co-operation, enthusiasm, belief we would not have had an education programme for this great site. Thanks in particular go to @CharmouthHCC @GeofieldworkLtd @TEC_Kimmeridge @LymeRegisMuseum 💙

Allies have been critical to help me through recent dark times. @embraceXceL888 @jesswade @GilesPalaeoLab @seis_matters @Si_at_perfume @DrewBennellick @midhal @whyofthetiger - you lifted me up! I am proud to be @RamblersGB Ambassador & @ndawards Finalist. Thank you all! 💚

To my new colleagues @WessexMuseums & esp @_KristinaB. Your trust & generosity in allowing me to be your Engagement Lead has been humbling & restorative to my spirit. I will continue to do my best for all our museums & understand the works of Thomas Hardy by next year! 😆

I couldn't have been on this journey without all my family. My parents, my sister @DrMeenaKhatwa brother @vinnyk2406 BIL @LionelOpenshaw - you all believed in me. My fiance Martin @Johnson72Martin & our 3 children - I know you are proud of my achievements & share in this moment❤️

I want to dedicate my award to two people. The first is #MaryAnning. Her struggles to be recognised, to have her voice heard and to fight a system that was deeply prejudiced against her, always resonated with me. Her struggles are ones I have known myself & I will overcome them✊🏾

@MaryAnningRocks have achieved what many thought impossible, a statue for #MaryAnning. For me they represent a movement of engaging new audiences with her story & helping underserved communities to engage with geology. Support them if you can as they move onwards & upwards 🙌🏾

Finally this award is for my daughter Sarita. My life has been peppered with obstacles, challenges I thought would derail me from my ambitions. As a single parent, I dragged her to work events & festivals. I sacrificed precious time with her, so I could make life better for us 😢

Sarita is my motivation & reason to keep going. During my darkest days, single parenthood to the injustice I endured, I told myself that if I kept going, I could create change for her generation. I hope this award demonstrates what can be possible if you believe in yourself. END

@threadreaderapp Unroll please!

It was remiss of me to to mention the HOURS that Stephe Meloy spent on the phone with me. Advising me, supporting me & generally being a sounding board for all that I went through. Thanks Stephe (& @DrMeenaKhatwa) 🤗