Profile
Zephy Howe
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About Me:
I live in Cornwall with my young family and enjoy exploring the coastline by foot or by paddle! I also love singing and eating good food!
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I love a good walk and have completed some pretty amazing ones both here in the UK and in more exotic places. My most exotic was the Inca trail in Peru, which was incredible and I could really geek out with the human and physical geography on that one. Seeing ancient ruins and a mighty river in flood conditions was awe inspiring.
When I can, I get out on my kayak. There’s something special about seeing the coast from a different perspective and as a bonus you’ll sometimes come across a friendly seal. It’s a great way to unwind.
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My pronouns are:
She/her
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How I use Geography in my work:
I lead a team that knows lot about rivers, landscapes, and natural resources — and how they’re being affected by things like pollution or over use. We use data and mapping tools (like GIS) to spot problems and produce information to help others to fix them.
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My Work:
The team I lead do lots of interesting analysis to tell us things like how well a water company are looking after the environment. The team uses a mix of data analysis skills and GIS/Mapping to bring data together and tell it’s story.
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I help my team figure out which data tools we need to build so other teams have the right information to work together and improve the environment.
I stay focused on the most important issues that need solving.
I make sure my team keeps learning new and better ways to use data to protect and improve the natural world
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My Typical Day:
I start my day at around 9am, with a nice cup of tea and the rest of the day is never the same, which is why I love what I do! I work 4 days a week.
I will start my day catching up with emails then I will have a mixture of meetings with people who would like my team to help them and with my team and also some time reading about new exciting ways to work with data.
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I will check my emails and MSÂ Teams messages first thing to check all is okay with my team. Then I might have a meeting with a customer who would like us to build a new web map in GIS, identifying where there are water quality issues. Then I might have a meeting with a team member who needs my advice on a problem they have found. Lunch nearly always includes a walk to refresh my brain. In the afternoon I could be looking at new training to help my team do their job even better. I will usually finish at 5pm.
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Education:
Secondary School –Â Â Fowey River Academy
A-Levels – Cornwall College
University – Exeter University
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Qualifications:
GCSEs – 11, including Maths, English and Science, Geography, French and Drama
A-Levels – Biology, Environmental Science, Geography
Degree  – BSc Geography
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Work History:
Summer jobs while still in education – housekeeping, takeaway assistant, ticketing at the Eden Project. Research Assistant at BBSRC
2008-2009 – Water Quality Sampling, Environment Agency
2009-2010 – Water Quality Investigations, Environment Agency
2010-2012-Â Mapping officer, flood risk department, Environment Agency
2012-2017 – GIS officer, Environment Agency
2017-2023 –Â GIS specialist, Environment Agency
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Current Job:
2023-current – Data and Information ‘Evidence’ Manager, Environment Agency
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Employer:
Environment Agency
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My Interview
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What did you want to be after you left school?
A primary school teacher
Were you ever in trouble at school?
No!
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
I'd be in music theatre
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Kings of Leon
What's your favourite food?
Thai or seafood
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
I could have a really nice holiday in Canada, my family stay happy and healthy, I had more time to sing
Tell us a joke.
Two parrots sitting on a perch. One says to the other "can you smell fish?" (Sorry!!!!!)
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