Antonia is a Principal Engineering Geologist, with over 15 years of international experience in geotechnical ground investigation (GI). She has worked across extractive industries, onshore infrastructure, geohazard assessments, with the past eight years focused on the offshore renewables sector for interconnectors, and floating and fixed wind farms.
Across the UK, New Zealand, and Australia she has extensive experience planning, supervising, and managing GI projects. Antonia has acted as client representative on renewable energy developments throughout the North Sea and Baltic Sea.
This article provides an insight into her professional journey at Global Maritime – highlighting her path from early roles in exploration and engineering geology to her current work supporting major floating offshore wind developments, the experiences and motivations that have shaped her geoscience career, and what her story represents for the increasing visibility and impact of women in science and STEM professions.
What area of science do you work in, and what led you to choose a career in STEM?
I work as an Engineering Geologist and I’ve always been fascinated by geology from a young age, mostly because of dinosaurs (Jurassic Park is still one of my favourite films!). I enjoyed studying sciences and physical geography at school (geology as a standalone subject was not available at the time), so pursuing geology at university was a natural progression.
After graduating I had the opportunity to work on mines in Australia as an exploration geologist. I then moved to New Zealand where my career pivoted to engineering geology as I worked on projects in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquakes. On return to the UK I focused on ground investigation work, moving to the offshore realm where I continue to work to this day.
My career has given me amazing travel opportunities; one highlight was working in a remote part of Greenland for 6 weeks.
Tell us a bit about your current role and what it entails?
My current role within the GM GEO Engineering Geology team includes managing deep, shallow, and nearshore geotechnical ground investigations (GI) for sites with complex quaternary environments on behalf of our clients. This includes planning, supervision when vessels are out in the project area and during the onshore laboratory testing phases, document and data review. I’ve reviewed certification requirements for floating wind anchors, and outside of project work I am involved with supporting the development of our products and processes to deliver added value to our clients.
What is the most inspiring or rewarding part of working in geoscience / STEM for you?
In my early career when I undertook more fieldwork, one of the most rewarding parts was that I would be one of the first (of a small number of) humans to ever see the rock core and samples since they were laid down and formed thousands to millions of years ago. That part is still exciting, but now I also enjoy working as part of a great team to support offshore floating wind farms, working to get the best data to build ground models that inform design in challenging locations.
What excites you most about the future of geoscience?
What excites me is that geoscience is open to anyone who wants to work in it, and it’s full of passionate people. That’s exciting because great things happen with that combination. The world may be facing a lot of problems, but the future is unwritten and those who work in geoscience are a key part to the solution.
What has been your favourite Global Maritime project to work on?
My favourite Global Maritime project is supporting the ground investigation and ground model development for the Green Volt project. It’s a standout project as it is one of the world’s largest commercial scale floating offshore wind farms being developed. The unique nature of the project has refined my existing skills (both technical and non-technical) and I’ve gained new ones in the process. In addition, it has been fascinating seeing the benefits that 3D UHRS geophysical data can bring to a project to complement geotechnical data as it is integrated into the ground model.
What attracted you to work at Global Maritime? What do you enjoy most about working at Global Maritime?
Working at Global Maritime offered the professional development I was looking for, and it has certainly delivered! It is so rewarding working for a company that celebrates and encourages improvement to processes and content, as well as being part of team that are passionate about the work they do.
What advice would you offer to girls and early‑career women pursuing careers in geoscience / STEM?
If you like geoscience/STEM my advice is go for it! Do what you interests you, and your career will be rewarding and varied. If anyone tells you that you can’t do it because you’re female just ignore them. I’ve worked in male dominated industries and it’s never been an issue, but what is great to see is that more women are now working in these industries.
