Hope Steadman

Smart River Governance: Examining the Feminist Digital Ecologies of the River Thames

Hope began her DPhil in Geography and the Environment in October 2023. Her doctoral research focuses on digital mediations of rivers and river quality in and around the Oxfordshire area. It examines how groups including wild swimmers, citizen scientists and hydrologists are using digital technologies to shape their experiences, understanding and management of river environments. The research is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council via the Grand Union DTP.

Hope gained a BSc in Geography from the University of Birmingham (hons, First Class) and a MSc in Nature, Society and Environmental Governance from the University of Oxford (Distinction). Her Master's dissertation explored the human-nonhuman encounters digitally mediated at a rewilding site in Scotland, and the implications for governance.

Prior to moving into academia, Hope worked in the technology sector for companies including Zego, Thames Water and TouchNote. She has also conducted small research projects for several organisations, including the National Trust, the Lifescape Project and the Global Centre on Healthcare & Urbanisation.

Awards

• The Gordon Wallace Prize, Keble College (2023)
• Durham Prize, Keble College (2023)
• ERSC Grand Union Doctoral Training Partnership Award, University of Oxford (2022)
• Dissertation Prize, History and Philosophy of Geography Research Group (2017)
• WA Cadbury Prize, University of Birmingham (2017)
• Emmeline H Cadbury Prize in Geography, University of Birmingham (2016)