![Sancha Conway Holroyd,
BSc (Hons)
Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology](https://d3bpgcke55gfwt.cloudfront.net/rails/active_storage/representations/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBckkvIiwiZXhwIjpudWxsLCJwdXIiOiJibG9iX2lkIn19--e37ce456665a73de3afe978d1994b041efb3349b/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaDdDRG9MWm05eWJXRjBTU0lJYW5CbkJqb0dSVlE2RkhKbGMybDZaVjkwYjE5c2FXMXBkRnNIYVFKWUFta0NMQUU2Q25OaGRtVnlld2s2RTNOMVluTmhiWEJzWlY5dGIyUmxTU0lIYjI0R093WlVPZ3B6ZEhKcGNGUTZEbWx1ZEdWeWJHRmpaVlE2REhGMVlXeHBkSGxwVUE9PSIsImV4cCI6bnVsbCwicHVyIjoidmFyaWF0aW9uIn19--42754237235ba1e6f9325deaf83c5a2657141cd3/2e84a0bc-797a-4c28-b918-04b0c82aebd3.jpg)
Giving young people a voice in environmental action
Sancha Conway Holroyd overcame a traumatic experience to succeed as a United Nations climate activist and researcher
![Flying fish leaping from the sea](https://d3bpgcke55gfwt.cloudfront.net/rails/active_storage/representations/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBckEvIiwiZXhwIjpudWxsLCJwdXIiOiJibG9iX2lkIn19--634a494e61439b18ec7a7e63fab2b816163545e4/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaDdDRG9MWm05eWJXRjBTU0lJYW5CbkJqb0dSVlE2RkhKbGMybDZaVjkwYjE5c2FXMXBkRnNIYVFKWUFta0NMQUU2Q25OaGRtVnlld2s2RTNOMVluTmhiWEJzWlY5dGIyUmxTU0lIYjI0R093WlVPZ3B6ZEhKcGNGUTZEbWx1ZEdWeWJHRmpaVlE2REhGMVlXeHBkSGxwVUE9PSIsImV4cCI6bnVsbCwicHVyIjoidmFyaWF0aW9uIn19--42754237235ba1e6f9325deaf83c5a2657141cd3/dbe49e1b-b62a-49d6-8c59-98c65e44e960.jpg)
Young people really are the drivers of change – it’s down to us as young leaders to create real impact.
Through this trauma, my thinking completely changed. I made an active decision to move away from being engrossed in all that I couldn’t do to focussing on the things I could. I turned to enrolling in online courses in marine biology and citizen science.
The University sponsored me to attend One Young World as a delegate in 2021, a summit that brings young leaders together with the likes of Jane Goodall, Bob Geldof, Sylvia Earle and global leaders. I am now an ongoing ambassador for One Young World.
Before and after my accident, I worked in the marine ornamental trade. My first-hand knowledge of the trade has largely driven my passion to pursue a PhD that tackles some of its key issues.
Although my journey to this point has been far from easy, I am honoured by the opportunities I have had and the support the University and academic staff have given me. I intend to continue my work as a climate activist, youth leader and early career researcher, and look forward to the continuing my journey and meeting more young leaders along the way.