Lucy Davidson

Kia ora! Nō Kōtirana me Airangi ōku tupuna

I tipi ake au ki Ōtepoti

Nō reira, ka mihi ki te maunga Mihiwaka, me te moana Wharauwerawera

Ko Davidson taku whanau ingoa,

Ko Lucy taku ingoa

I am a science advisor at BLAKE, based in Tāmaki Makaurau. I grew up in Pūrakaunui, a small coastal community just north of Ōtepoti Dunedin. Growing up I spent my summers going on bike trips with my family all around Aotearoa which deeply shaped my love for the environment and my interest in Earth Science.

I have recently completed my MSc in Geology at the University of Otago where I have studied carbon cycling and sequestration in Fiordland’s fjords using radiocarbon dating. I have also been very lucky to work on research investigating the microstructural features of ice to understand ice sheet mechanics and looking at climate change triggered greenhouse gas emissions from the permafrost in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. Much of this was enabled through my time as the 2022/23 BLAKE Antarctica Ambassador which opened up incredible opportunities for me. I absolutely love the landscapes of Aotearoa and Antarctica. Understanding and protecting these places motivates my mahi.

Outside of study and work, I love to spend time in the mountains tramping, skiing and cycling. Many of my most treasured memories are spending time with friends and family in these places whether that be recreationally or undertaking fieldwork. I am so excited to be on the team at BLAKE and help inspire rangatahi through the life-changing opportunities I was fortunate to experience through BLAKE’s programmes.