Class of 2025: Kristina Chilver

For Colchester born Kristina Chilver, there was only one place she wanted to go to University.

All five of her UCAS choices were different variations of the BSc Marine Biology course offered at Essex.

Kristina joined Essex as a mature student, having previously trained as a domestic energy assessor, worked in business management and spent time in adult social care during the pandemic.

But the course at Essex lured her back to education; offering her the perfect chance to blend her passions for the ocean and environmental conservation.

“I’ve been fascinated by the ocean for as long as I can remember,” Kristina said.

“I began scuba diving at 11-years-old and later became an instructor, which gave me a front-row seat to the impacts of environmental change.

“Studying marine biology felt like the natural next step toward making a difference in marine conservation.”

During her time at Essex, Kristina assisted with ecological reporting for planning applications, which has included visits to different sites in the county.

She has also worked as a research technician on salt marshes across East Anglia and the South Coast, collecting and analysing data from restored sites.

Kristina continued: “One of the most memorable experiences was my second-year field trip to Bau Bau in Indonesia, where I had the opportunity to combine my diving and academic skills while learning tropical marine research techniques.

“It was my first real chance to apply both practical fieldwork and scuba experience together, and it really reinforced my passion for marine conservation and research.”

Kristina was diagnosed with ADHD in the first year of her course, something that explained her previous struggles with exams.

She says the help provided by Essex to support both her wellbeing and academic work was incredible.

She has now been awarded a PhD scholarship from the Sustainable Transitions team which will allow her to research on using nature-based solutions to mitigate the impacts of sea level rise, particularly on the UK, Egypt and Thailand.

Reflecting upon her time at Essex, Kristina says there are a number of things that stand out.

She said: “The sense of community and social life at Essex are fantastic.

“Colchester offers the perfect balance — close to London but surrounded by countryside and seaside towns, creating a great environment for both studying and enjoying student life.”

She added: “Working alongside my lecturers gave me invaluable insight into how research projects are planned and adapted, while coordinating with external stakeholders taught me the importance of collaboration.

“I’m especially grateful for the opportunity to work with Professor Graham Underwood on the salt marsh restoration project, and I’m honoured to be an author on a paper due to be published later this year.”