My name is Charlotte Proverbs and I have just completed my PhD at the University of Central Lancashire. I would like to formally nominate myself for the PDRA position on the UKSP council, where I intend to represent the interest of the UK solar physics community to both the national and international communities.

My research focuses on investigating sunspot dynamics within active regions to determine if the energies generated by such dynamics are able to account for the solar activity associated with the region. I am an active member of the solar physics community, and I have presented my research to both academic and public audiences throughout my PhD. Outside of research, I have worked extensively with multiple outreach projects, including the award-winning ‘SUN’ installation and the Orkney International Science Festival. This experience communicating science to members of the public has allowed me to develop the skills required to convey to others the importance of solar physics research, which is essential when discussing policies with people outside of the solar physics community.

Throughout my PhD, UKSP provided many opportunities for me to develop and improve as an ECR, including the introductory summer school, UKSP organised NAM sessions and the UKSP meetings. These experiences provided me with the skills and opportunities I required to excel within my studies and my research. These events also encourage collaboration and networking between different areas of solar physics, which is essential in the current climate to further research and to continue generating opportunities for ECRs. If I am elected, I intend to ensure that these opportunities remain available to assist new PhD students as they enter academia, and to expand the support available for solar physics researchers during these challenging times.