Graduate Profile: Dan Bright

Why UWA?

Having made the decision to go to university, determining what course was ‘right’ was surprisingly more difficult than first thought. In the end my childhood fascination in the natural sciences endured and the international reputation of UWA for quality education and continuing high standards won me over.

What did you enjoy about the course?

In addition to the course content, I vividly recall the general atmosphere at university as having an energy about it. This energy brought together like-minded students of varying backgrounds and disciplines collaborating on common objectives and resulting in a network of contacts and friendships.

Has it helped you in your career?

In addition to the technical foundations of my degree, I feel that the Bachelor of Science course, and the university environment generally, has encouraged the development of my fundamental skills to analyse, rationalise and apply new concepts, and to think laterally and approach my discipline with confidence and pragmatism.

Would you recommend it to others?

No matter what our personal background, or career aspirations, our quality of life is reflected by the environs in which we choose to live. For those seeking to have a broader influence on our environs a possible career in ecology, or even the broader elements of the natural and environmental sciences then studying the combination of zoology and botany provides the fundamental skills to open many doors, both national and international.

Where are you now?

I am currently employed with one of the world’s largest engineering consultancies as a Principal Environmental Scientist. I lead an environmental impact assessment and ecology team based in the UK. I am responsible for the management and co-ordination of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) projects for a variety of private and public sector clients. These include housing and mixed-use developments, urban regeneration projects, master-planning, waste management, renewable energy, road and rail infrastructure schemes, flood management and coastal defence strategies.