Welcoming Sam
- Carys Mainprize
- Dec 11, 2025
- 3 min read
Recently we invited applications for our Wetland and Landscape Lead - while this job was appointed to Dr. Lauren Parry (who will have her own welcome blog in the new year) - Sam's CV and interview were so impressive we invited him to join the team as a Project Officer. He introduces himself in today's blog.
Hi Sam, tell us about yourself.
Hi, I’m Sam! I have recently started as the Resilient Hills Project Officer at the CCC. I have loved my journey through academia, but it was time to get involved with practical environmental restoration and make a difference to our natural landscapes. Outside of work, I love cooking, playing games with my friends and taking my dog out on lots of adventures. I enjoy being out in nature, through forests and along rivers, but I also look forward to having a nice cup of tea on the sofa afterwards.
You recently finished your PhD. Can you explain what you were researching and what you found?
My PhD was at the Environmental Research Institute in Thurso investigating the role of peatland margins in landscape resilience. I found that, especially for peatlands, the entire system needs to be functioning and healthy for resilience mechanisms to work properly. This means restoring entire units of peatland is important to protect the peatland during extreme weather events and a changing climate.
What interested you about this type of research?
I have always wanted to have a real-world impact on our environment. After my university degree, in Edinburgh, I wanted to enhance my knowledge of natural systems and my skills to be placed in the best possible position to make an impact. Peatlands are also incredibly interesting and complex systems which are extremely fun to work on. They provide loads of natural benefits like natural flood mitigation, and have an incredible range of flora.
How do you see your PhD experience benefitting your role at CCC?
As peatland restoration goals become larger and at higher scales, it is important to have a deep scientific understanding of landscape-scale dynamics in the context of restoration. This enables more effective, efficient and better targeted restoration efforts. It will also allow us to attempt more ambitious and difficult restoration projects, such as the drier, shallower and more exposed upland peat. In other words, I aim to make our hills more resilient by utilising a landscape-scale understanding.
You’ll also be supporting team Peat and our wider restoration projects. What excites you most about your role?
I am extremely excited to get on the ground and be involved with real restoration projects. In academia, we learn and explore the hypotheticals of all things peatland, and now I can put this knowledge into practice in a hands-on, practical role. I am looking forward to being part of dynamic team with lots of moving parts and contribute my expertise to help the CCC achieve its goals and ambitions.
You’ve moved quite far for this role! How are you settling into Dumfries and Galloway?
I am taking advantage of everything Dumfries and Galloway has to offer! Me and Summer (my dog) have explored the lovely scenery and found some lovely walks. I have ventured into nearby towns to engage with some new hobbies and sports. The community is lovely and has made me feel very welcome. I am looking even more forward to spring and exploring more of the landscape with Summer (and perhaps a mountain bike!).
We're excited to show Sam the restoration work during this peatland restoration season, and see how he applies his research background to ongoing projects. Welcome, Sam, to the team!
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