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Octavia Brayley
PhD Researcher & Educator
I'm a PhD researcher at the University of Birmingham and British Antarctic Survey. My research interests are molecular entomology, non-native species, terrestrial ecology, and climate change. I graduated from the University of Bristol with a BSc in Zoology and an MRes in Biological Sciences where I specialised my research to investigate the effects of light pollution on the circadian rhythms of intertidal organisms. Alongside my PhD, I work as a private science tutor and I have six years of experience, including teaching Biology at the prestigious Harrow School in London from 2021-22.
I am also a school governor at King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls in Birmingham, Co-Head of Education with the UK Polar Network, a STEM Ambassador, and I lecture internationally on cruise lines to large audiences on polar biology, climate change, and other wildlife-related topics. I am also the creator and host of Polar Diaries Podcast where I interview polar scientists from around the world to raise awareness about the incredible research in the Arctic and Antarctic, and the key environmental issues facing the polar regions today. I hope to have a career in polar research, environmental policy, and science communication.
Education
2022 - Current
PhD in Biosciences
University of Birmingham
My current research interests are molecular entomology, terrestrial ecology, non-native species, climate change, and policy/public engagement. My PhD seeks to understand the ecological effects of a non-native insect, Eretmoptera murphyi, on Signy Island in Antarctica. My project is highly interdisciplinary and utilises a wide range of methodology, including soil biogeochemistry, microbiology, and computational modelling.
2019 - 2021
University of Bristol
MRes in Biological Sciences
I investigated the impacts of light pollution on the behaviour and circadian rhythms of intertidal organisms. I published a first-author paper (Brayley et al. 2022) in the International Journal of Sustainable Lighting and I won two awards for presentations at conferences.
2016 - 2019
BSc in Zoology
University of Bristol
Alongside my first degree, I was a research assistant for a palaeontology team (lead by Dr Jakob Vinther) who discovered the colour of dinosaurs through molecular and microscope analysis of pigment-providing organelles called melanosomes. This project revealed that dinosaurs wore rich and vibrant-coloured feathers that were often fiery reds, burnt oranges, and iridescent hues. This finding was named one of the ‘top 20 scientific discoveries of the decade’ by National Geographic in 2019. My third-year project investigated how Lepidoptera use eyespots on their wings as an anti-predator mechanism, and my literature review presented data on the effectiveness of acoustic defences in insects with reference to the dietary composition of bats.
Key scientific skills
Academic writing and publishing
Experimental design
Data analysis and statistics
Research collaboration
Science communication
Wet lab techniques
Publications
The impacts of non-native arthropods and plants on the biogeochemistry, nutrient cycling and biodiversity of polar soils.
In preparation.
The biological effects of light pollution on terrestrial and marine organisms.
Brayley O., Wakefield A., How M.J. 2022. International Journal of Sustainable Lighting 24(1): 13-18
Illuminating the problems of light pollution.
Brayley 2022. The Niche, British Ecological Society
Read here.
Insects by The Royal Entomological Society
Chapter contribution: Islands
In preparation.
I am an active reviewer for Polar Biology, and I have also reviewed papers for PLOS Computational Biology and Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Public engagement and lecturing
STEM Ambassador
STEM Learning, The University of Birmingham, and The Royal Entomological Society
I create resources and volunteer at various outreach events such as workshops and school visits to encourage young people to engage with science. I have also mentored young people who are interested in applying for university to STEM subjects. I aim to bring abstract concepts alive by linking complex ideas to real-world issues and concepts, and to showcase what exciting careers are possible when pursuing a career in STEM.
My recent activities:
- Creative exhibit for the Enquiring Minds exhibition at the University of Birmingham ("Invasive insects in Antarctica; build your own Antarctic food chain and spot the invasive species!")
- An article on Antarctic insects for INSTAR, a children's magazine from the Royal Entomological Society
- Presentation at the ThinkTank Museum in Birmingham for the International Women and Girls in Science Day
- Winner of I'm a Scientist Get Me Out Of Here 2023, a scheme that connects scientists to students across the country through online chats. I used the prize money to start my podcast, Polar Diaries
Podcaster
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Polar Diaries
A podcast where I interview polar scientists from around the world to raise awareness about the incredible research in the Arctic and Antarctic, and the key environmental issues facing the polar regions today. You can listen to the first four episodes on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. You can also follow @polardiariespodcast on Instagram.
Co-Head of Education & Outreach
UK Polar Network
I lead an innovative and dedicated education team who run the 'Antarctic Flags' and 'Polar Pen Pal' projects. We also design educational resources for secondary school students and organise a diverse range of outreach events across the country.
International wildlife lecturer
Cruise lines
I deliver lectures on polar wildlife to large audiences (often 500+) across the world on cruise ships. My maiden voyage was to Norway in 2023.
Teaching experience
2017 - Current
Science Tutor
Keystone Tutors & Justin Craig Education
I am a very friendly, enthusiastic, and approachable tutor. I have over six years of tutoring experience, including teaching GCSE and A-Level Biology at Harrow School in London from 2021-22. I enjoy building an effective working relationship with my clients and I am able to tutor students longer-term until their final exams, ensuring consistency and reliability. I utilise many different resources during my tutorials and adapt my teaching style to the student's specific needs to enhance subject knowledge for a better understanding of Biology as a whole and to keep students engaged. Some Biology concepts require different forms of explanation as they can be tricky and abstract; I use a combination of detailed notes, diagrams, videos, and worksheets to ensure the student understands the topic in-depth, gains confidence in their own ability, and has fun in my lessons! Exam technique is often a barrier for students who want to access the top grades. Therefore, I also focus on exams and past paper questions to improve the student's understanding of the exact keywords required to obtain higher grades, facilitated by my experience as an A-Level examiner. 100% of my previous A-Level students have achieved grades A*-B, with around 90% achieving A*/A.
2021 - 2022
Harrow School
Master of Biology
Alongside teaching exciting and engaging Biology lessons to GCSE and A-Level students, I also delivered an elective course called 'Life on the Ice' which many boys chose to participate in. I enrolled in the Harrow New Master's Training Programme, where I learned the fundamentals of teaching and the intricacies of education and learning at Harrow and beyond. I assisted with many of the extra-curricular aspects of the school, including a role as an assistant rugby coach, taking a group of boys to a special needs primary school each week to participate in charity work through the Shaftesbury Enterprise, and being one of the main points of contact on the Sustainability Committee, where I was asked to attend COP26 on behalf of the school.
2022 - Current
A-Level Examiner
2023 - Current
School Governor
OCR & Cambridge International Education
I have marked over a thousand A-Level Biology and Marine Sciences
exams. Students often struggle with exam technique once they get to A-Levels, so being an examiner refines my tutoring skills further and ensures I deliver high-quality lessons for all my students.
King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls
I sit on the education and welfare committees and attend regular meetings and school inspections to assist with the running of the school to facilitate critical decision-making, maintain the school's ethos and strategic direction, and to monitor the educational performance of the pupils.
2019 - 2021
Postgraduate Tutor and Teaching Assistant
University of Bristol
Led tutorials with undergraduate students, teaching a variety of topics from presentation skills to essay writing. I attended an intensive workshop in small group teaching and blended learning which enhanced my understanding of teaching methods including ways to build confidence and increase motivation in students to facilitate learning. I utilised strong subject knowledge and awareness of lab protocols and methodology to assist students with technical practicals, such as DNA sequencing.
Testimonials
Mother of A-Level student
"Octavia is the most delightful, dedicated, supportive and knowledgeable tutor and my daughter is thriving with her."
Amy, A-Level student
"I 100% recommend Octavia for an A-Level Biology tutor as her knowledge is really strong and she has a really good technique to explain the content in a way people will understand. She also makes you feel really at ease and I'm not afraid to say if I don't get anything. If there was anything I didn't understand, she used diagrams and images to help me understand. Having her as my tutor has improved my grade and my understanding of the content as well as my confidence when answering exam questions."
Parent of GCSE student
"Octavia is an excellent GCSE Biology tutor. We've had a few Biology tutors that didn't work out. My son really responded to her. She's reliable, very responsive and a pleasure to communicate with. With Octavia's help, my son achieved grade 9 in his GCSE mock results, raising his confidence level significantly. Octavia is always very willing to help, not only with GCSE Biology but also with homework sets, internal school exams and EPQ queries. We would highly recommend Octavia without reservation."
Parent of A-Level student
"Octavia was very friendly and reliable. My daughter Amy felt comfortable in her presence and found her easy to relate to. She explained the things that Amy was struggling with, in an easy-to-understand way, and also passed on some invaluable revision tips which Amy found very useful. I fully recommend Octavia as an A level Biology tutor."
Peter, A-Level student
"The high levels of detail that are provided by Octavia in her tutoring sessions are useful and concise and have helped me to greatly improve in all areas of biology. Since starting tutoring with Octavia, I am now achieving 2 or 3 grades higher than I was only a few months ago. I couldn't really ask for much more."
Parent of GCSE student
"My daughter has gained great confidence in understanding the different topics and exam techniques due to Octavia’s professionalism, hard work, enthusiasm, and building great rapport. I would recommend Octavia to any parents and students who are looking at developing their understanding and their skills in these subjects."
