Elise Humblet

Elise is from Manchester and is studying BA Geography. Interestingly, her grandfather studied Automotive Engineering in 1966, the year the University was awarded its Charter, in the same building that she now studies in. Elise says: "He always reminds me that he was the first Secretary of the Student Union and even helped name the Purple Onion! During his time at Loughborough, he met my grandma who was a librarian at the university."

Her favourite part of the degree so far has been the human fieldtrip where she visited Liverpool. Through workshops with local regeneration consultants, she gained a wider understanding of the city’s future vision and saw first-hand how the city has been regenerating its city districts by celebrating its heritage as part of the urban landscape.

Elise said “I was attracted to this job because I’m interested in what CCG is exploring. I like that it’s climate-related and that it has ambitions to change things for the better. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about an area that interests me.”

In terms of climate, Elise is particularly interested in the role transport has to play in driving sustainable places. “I enjoy studying cities and how small changes, such as cycling and walking, can make a big difference. I'm interested in seeing how mobility patterns will be shaped in the next few years by electric vehicles. In my final year my dissertation will focus on factors that influence cycling in Manchester. I’m looking at how people commute to work - by bike, or public transport or walking – and the reasons behind those decisions.”

One of Elise’s big passions, apart from sport, is being outdoors. “I love walking in the Peak District and the Lake District and spending time there with my family and friends. I also really enjoy cooking and although I am not ready for MasterChef, it’s fun and helps me to relax.”

In terms of her goals for the job, Elise is hoping to strengthen her skills in communication and organisation, as well as gaining new knowledge. “I feel that I’ll learn a lot from being surrounded by such knowledgeable people. It’s not every day you get to spend time with experts so I’m hoping to expand my knowledge and take a lot of new ideas on board. I’m really looking forward to where that takes me.”