
In order to broaden my practical experience in the field of conservation, I dedicated a year of my time between the second year and final year of my studies as a volunteer at the Durham Museum and Heritage Centre. During my time there, I gained hands-on experience in organizing artifacts, writing display descriptions and assisting visitors. This opportunity solidified my passion for conservation and instilled in me the desire to contribute further to the field. Moreover, I have archaeological experience as a Field Archaeologist Trainee from the Durham University Archaeological Department. During the two week excavation at Bishop Auckland in March 2022, I learnt essential skills such as mapping excavation trenches, cataloguing finds and building recording. I also gained a CIFA skills passport that contains more archaeological skills that I have picked up. Additionally, during the summer of 2022, I participated in the Gefrin project where I worked with Professor Sarah Semple, Dr Tudor Skinner and Dr Brian Buchanan. Through that, I used geophysics to map out future excavation spots in the area. These experiences enriched my understanding of conservation practices and fueled my enthusiasm for actively participating in the preservation and discovery of heritage sites.
Beyond my academic pursuits, I have engaged in various extracurricular activities and hobbies that have honed my skills and enriched my understanding of storytelling and visual arts. As the Head Editor for the upcoming short film “Pandora's Glocks” under Durham University's Film Society, I led a team of editors and oversaw the editing process, including action scene composition, colour grading and audio editing. This made me more proficient in using filmmaking software such as Adobe Premiere Pro and Audacity. Additionally, I have cultivated my creativity through hobbies such as creating fan edits of television shows, particularly in the action genre.
Excavated Bishop Antony Bek's chapel and Auckland castle walls for 15 days as part of my course. Learnt how to process Finds such as 17th Century Pottery, learnt how to reconstruct destroyed pillars through drawing. And learnt how to analyze the layout of a trench.
By the end of those two weeks, I was able to explain verbally or in written form the process by which site formations such as fills, layers, structures and natural deposits were derived. I also learnt the concept of physical and chronological stratigraphy as well as the methods of recording a trench sequence. Moreover, I picked up skills such as context sheet recording, site photography, section drawing, artefact recovery and learnt how to draw artefacts and create a location using a vector program.
I have a profound interest in human history and the importance of preserving cultural heritage, with a particular focus on Classical and Eastern European heritage. During my undergraduate studies at Durham University, I specialized in Classical heritage, specifically Ancient Rome from the 1st Century BC to the 2nd Century AD. My final year dissertation was about the under-representation of mythological women on Roman Sarcophagi and it allowed me to explore the theme of death in the myths of Medea and Persephone, the role of women in ancient society and the historical context in which the Sarcophagi were created. Furthermore, I have nurtured a passion for Eastern European heritage, spanning from 8th century Russia to 12th Century Russia through my exposure to diverse cultures while growing up in Singapore, befriending people from Russia and Ukraine and reading extensively about their cultures. Through interactions with them, I have developed a nuanced understanding of the importance of cultural preservation and the role it plays in fostering mutual understanding and respect.