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analytica 45 Analytix Ltd


viii


Aquamate Asia 2026 Aquamate India 2026 Bruker Optics CEM 2027


CEM Asia 2026


IBC 35


IFC 24 28


Company CEM India 2026


CEM Middle East 2027 DALEMANS S.A.


Ion Science Ltd - Instruments LogiDataTech GmbH Mega System Srl Membrapor


Page Company Page 17


27 5


OFC 13 31 9


Myron L Company NosmoTech Ltd P S Analytical


SK-Elektronik GmbH TSI GmbH


University of Leeds Water ID


39 iii


29


OBC iii


vii 41


The Final Word...


This issue we speak to Sasha Woods about her convoluted career path into the environmental sector and how she would like to see more citizen science results included in decision making


Please introduce yourself


My name is Dr Sasha Woods, and I am the Director of Science and Impact at the environmental charity and independent research organisation, Earthwatch Europe.


How and why did you get into the environmental industry?


I’ve followed what might be described as a convoluted career path.


After a BSc in natural sciences, I studied an MSc in reproductive and developmental biology and a PhD in medicine, focusing on the genetics of retinal development.


I undertook three postdocs in retinal and brain development, Parkinson’s Disease and macular degeneration and then – after 10 years of cutting up eyes and brains – I’d had enough. I wanted to do something bigger, more impactful.


I applied for the role of researcher for impact and innovation at Earthwatch Europe, studying the science of citizen science – the active involvement of non-scientists in the scientific research process – focusing on environmental citizen science…and I’ve never looked back.


Where do you see the industry going in the next fi ve/10 years?


I had a very similar conversation with the executive team recently. We reflected on previous environmental focus areas – marine health and climate change – and how they have shifted to current


...an interview with Dr Sasha Woods


ones including freshwater and carbon capture, and where they might go next.


I think freshwater will continue to be important. But I would like to see the industry becoming more holistic; water, soil, air, biodiversity.


We can’t solve any one issue without addressing others. So I hope we stop following environmental vogues and start thinking about the bigger picture long term.


What’s your strangest story since entering the industry?


I’m not sure I have any strange stories. Certainly uplifting ones about the power of citizen science for transformative environmental action.


And there’s been some surprising results from our Great UK WaterBlitz where we found an array of chemical pollutants – caffeine, nicotine, pharmaceuticals and pesticides – polluting our waterways.


What’s your favourite professional experience?


In August 2025, Corby community leaders approached Earthwatch Europe to investigate metal contamination in Corby’s waterways.


In November 2025, 35 citizen scientists assessed 59 freshwater sites across Corby for metal pollution.


This work related to the historical case where a team of experts argued the council’s mismanagement of toxic waste from a former steelworks site had spread contaminated dust throughout the town.


Supporting the local community to investigate their ongoing concerns – helping them to better understand the health of their freshwaters and empowering them to take action – was the proudest moment of my environmental career.


Why do you love working in the industry? I love that I am making a positive impact.


At Earthwatch we are all about connecting people with nature and giving them the tools to take action for the planet.


Sitting at that interface between people, nature and science – helping people to connect with their natural environment, making science accessible and supporting people to investigate their blue and green spaces – that has felt incredibly powerful, and really positive.


What are your professional hopes for the future?


I would like to see more people becoming citizen scientists. I’d like to see them investigating their natural environments and taking positive action.


At Earthwatch we are all about connecting people with nature and giving them the tools to take action for the planet.


I would also like to see citizen science-generated data feeding into offi cial monitoring frameworks for parameters such as freshwater quality and biodiversity.


What do you get up to away from your professional life? Science never sleeps and I’m not particularly good at sitting still.


I have a border collie who – aside from appearing in a lot of our social media videos – requires a lot of walking, and has a weekly agility class (Crufts here I come!).


I ran the London Marathon last year, although I’m not really a big fan of running and prefer the gym or yoga.


I took A level art and every now and then I’ll attend a life drawing class, but I don’t really have the patience for hobbies that require stillness (see previous sitting still comment).


Are there any equipment recommendations you can make and why?


As a champion of citizen science, I think people themselves can be incredible tools for research.


I am fully supportive of equipment that supports citizen science: cheap, simple but robust testing kits, devices and apps.


48


IET - JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2026


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