Know Your Colleagues | Clare Fletcher

Research Story

What is your research about?

We're looking for evidence of life on Mars and the ancient environments that might have hosted that life, but exploring these places and doing this science might adversely impact the sites and their value. My research is about understanding how we can balance conservation of these sites to ensure they aren't damaged, while still allowing ongoing science and exploration.

What inspired you to pursue this research topic?

I've always been interested in space and the possibility of life elsewhere in our solar system. After doing a masters conserving fossils that are the oldest convincing evidence of life on Earth (sites used to help in our search for life on Mars), this PhD topic was a natural next step for me!

What has been the most interesting or surprising part of your HDR journey so far?

I've had amazing opportunities to do field work in places that a lot of people wouldn't get an opportunity to go to. I think working in those places is always super interesting.

What is one challenge in your research that people outside academia or your field may not realise?

Exogeoconservation is a brand new field (the word was only created and defined in 2018), so there isn't a lot of work for me to go on. It means I get the privilege of being the first person to do a lot of the work I do, but that comes with a lot of challenges too, because there's no one who can direct you or help you understand how to do certain things.

Life Beyond Research

What do you enjoy doing outside of research or study?

I love snorkelling and do a lot in the summer. I also ocean swim and play water polo, so I'm always in the water. When I'm not in the water, I like hiking or doing arts and crafts e.g., cross stitch or painting.Is there a food, tradition, place, or activity from your culture/home country that you would recommend everyone experience? 

Is there a food, tradition, place, or activity from your culture/home country that you would recommend everyone experience? *

As a white Australian, not really. But given I come from the Hunter Valley, I can recommend everyone do a wine tasting/tour there at some point!

Do you have a favourite book, movie, podcast, song, or hobby you would recommend to others?

My favourite movie is The Dish. It also happens to contain one of my favourite quotes of all time that has kept me going throughout my PhD - "Failure is never quite so frightening as regret".

Advice & Reflections 

What advice would you give to new HDR students joining your research group?

Remember it's JUST a PhD, not a whole career. You are still learning and shouldn't be trying to solve everything related to your topic. You can have a limited scope and still do an amazing PhD.

What is something people in the research group might be surprised to learn about you?

Probably that I'm nowhere near as chill as I look or act.

If you could collaborate with anyone in the world - past or present - who would it be and why?

I wish I could have been part of the geological field training for the Apollo astronauts. Or maybe now the Artemis astronauts.

Bonus Questions

Coffee, tea or something else? Coffee!

Favourite work spot: Office.

Best conference city visited? Boulder, Colorado.

Favourite quote or motto? I said it earlier. "Failure is never quite so frightening as regret"

ORCID: 0009-0008-0841-8838