International Day of Women and Girls in Science: Interview with Liv Hawkins (Class of 2018)

We recently interviewed Liv to gain an insight into her science career and how her time at Watson's influenced her route into science.

What first sparked your interest in science? 

My interest in science didn’t come from a single defining moment, but from a growing curiosity about how things work. I was initially drawn to the ‘big’ questions that don’t have obvious answers, like why do the planets exist, and what actually is space? 

At school I enjoyed the combination of creativity and logic in physics, even though I didn’t always picture myself becoming a physicist. I didn’t feel like I fully understood it or that I was particularly good at it - a few people even doubted whether physics would be the right path for me at university. But I was motivated by the challenge, and by the desire to prove (to myself as much as others!) that I could achieve what I put my mind to. More than any single experience, I think the challenge and determination is what ultimately inspired me to pursue science further. 

Can you tell us a little about your career journey so far? 

I’m currently a Physics PhD candidate in quantum technologies, but along the way I’ve worked in a range of different scientific areas which helped me work out what I really wanted to specialise in. 

I started out studying astrophysics, drawn by the ‘big’ questions of the universe, but quickly realised that I didn’t actually enjoy working in an astrophysics lab. A module in nanoscience helped made realise I was much more interested in the small-scale, which led me to do a Master’s in nanotechnology and materials science. Enjoying the hands-on lab work in my dissertation, I then worked in a biotechnology company where I got to apply these skills every day, fabricating micro-sized devices and thin-film materials. I enjoyed working on the development aspect but realised my real passion still lay in research, which drew me back to towards uni again for a PhD. 

The PhD opportunity I found started out with a training year in engineering – a totally new are to me! While I enjoyed my engineering projects and gained a lot from them, I noticed I always gravitated toward a physics-based approach. Eventually I transferred back to the physics department where I now work as a PhD researcher in quantum technologies, on a project that I’m really excited about. 

Were there any teachers, mentors, or experiences that particularly influenced you? 

In terms of experiences, I was never completely certain about what type of science I wanted to pursue, but working on projects in different areas not only helped me discover what I enjoyed, but, very importantly, also what I didn’t! Ruling things out and taking the risk of trying completely new things that I had little prior experience in ultimately led me to the field I love today. 

I didn’t have a single defining mentor, but rather a series of people and experiences have that have each contributed something important. I’ve been fortunate to work with many fantastic professors and researchers along the way. One professor, for example, sent me information about the engineering opportunity I might never have discovered otherwise, and another helped build my confidence and skillset with some useful guidance and exciting opportunities from a project we worked on together. I’m also very lucky to be supported by a great network of PhD students working in similar areas. All these experiences helped shape my journey along the way and reinforced my passion for research. 

Have you faced any challenges along the way, and how did you overcome them? 

Definitely - both big and small. A few years ago I was pretty disappointed to be rejected from a course I thought was my only opportunity in my desired specialisation at the time. Looking back, it was actually a bit of a blessing because it’s ended up redirecting me to a project I enjoy even more and might never have discovered otherwise. Setbacks can lead to unexpected opportunities; rejection isn’t necessarily bad! 

Like many researchers, I regularly face lots of project setbacks - sometimes it feels like almost everything goes wrong. It’s been important to learn these moments are not personal failures but as a normal part of the scientific process. Most days I encounter things I don’t understand, but persistence and taking things step by step makes a difference. I try to focus on my own goals, rather than comparing myself to how others work, and remind myself that every bit of time spent thinking about or working on a challenge is a form of progress. 

What do you enjoy most about working in science today? 

I love the area I work in - our team is researching technologies with real potential for future computing and communications. The fact that I get to work on cutting-edge technologies that could shape the future is incredibly exciting, and I’m very lucky to be able to collaborate with such a talented group of researchers. Looking back, it’s amazing to think that the science behind so many everyday technologies was once being developed by PhD students in a lab. Research moves fast, and I love the drive to achieve something meaningful. 

What advice would you give to girls who are considering a future in science? 

Don’t wait until you feel like you know enough or are ‘good enough’ to pursue something. Feeling unsure is part of learning - it doesn’t mean you don’t belong. If there’s something you want to do, just do it - even if you don’t think you have the knowledge or skills to apply. Many of the opportunities I’ve had have come from simply giving it a shot even when I didn’t feel I had the right experience or background. Push yourself out of your comfort zone! 

You also don’t need to be ‘naturally talented’ at science to succeed - what matters most is curiosity, persistence, and drive. Everyone learns at their own pace; confidence and experience develop over time. It’s also surprisingly important to be able to talk about your work and contributions clearly - learning to present and ‘market yourself’ is sometimes half the battle. 

Looking back, is there anything you wish you’d known earlier in your career? 

There’s also no single way to be a successful scientist. You don’t have to fit a particular mould, have a perfectly clear path, or know exactly what you’re doing - just follow what interests you, and the rest will work itself out. Different perspectives, working styles, and career paths are all valid, and science needs that diversity. 

Also, not knowing something is perfectly normal - it doesn’t mean you’re not capable. In research, uncertainty is literally part of the job; if you don’t know the answer, you might be doing something interesting. Confidence grows with experience, and over time curiosity and persistence will matter far more than knowing everything from the start. 

What excites you most about the future of your field? 

Quantum technologies have the potential to reshape how we send communications and process data, and what we’re working on is a key part of that. What’s exciting is knowing that the research I’m doing now could enable technologies in future that don’t yet exist. The field is growing and developing so fast, and there’s so much potential; it’s really cool to be part of shaping what’s next.