Magali Ponds is a PhD candidate in large-scale glacier modelling at Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium. Her research focuses on better understanding present-day glacier volume change, for example, by attributing glacier evolution to land-use and land-cover change, as well as to the delayed response of glaciers to past climate conditions. She also works on improving the representation of climate processes in glacier models to support more physically based projections.
After working in consulting for two years, Magali decided to return to academia. A choice that has felt like the right one ever since. She finds it highly motivating that her work can contribute, even in a small way, to addressing some of today’s societal and environmental challenges.
One of the things she enjoys most about being an early-career scientist is the freedom to explore new ideas and follow her curiosity. Magali shares: “Research often feels like solving a puzzle: trying to understand complex systems, connect different pieces of information, and gradually build a bigger picture.” This also brings a lot of variety to her work, from coding and analytical problem-solving to preparing figures, presentations, and storylines for papers, as well as teaching and supervising students. This combination of creativity, analysis, and communication makes research especially rewarding.
Her position also offers many opportunities to attend conferences, workshops, and fieldwork campaigns. These experiences add an important dimension to the PhD journey: they take her away from the desk, expose her to new perspectives, and often generate new ideas for future research.
Magali also feels very fortunate to work in a very supportive environment. She mentioned she has wonderful colleagues who are always willing to discuss ideas and provide feedback, and she could not wish for a more supportive supervisor. She says, “Having people around me who believe in me and encourage me to grow makes a huge difference!”
Magali’s opinion on ECS challenges
One of the most difficult aspects for me is the publication process. Papers often represent months or even years of work, so receiving critical reviews can be tough. Although reviewer comments usually improve the final manuscript, it can still be difficult not to take criticism personally or feel discouraged by mistakes. Over time, however, I am learning to see this process as a way to strengthen my work and gain new perspectives.
Another challenge is switching off after work. Research does not neatly stop at the end of the day. There is always another idea to explore, another analysis to run, or another question to think about. While this often comes from motivation and excitement, I have to remind myself to stop, step away from the computer, and go outside.
I am also still learning to ask for help more easily. Because I enjoy the puzzle and challenge of research, it can be tempting to feel that I should solve every problem myself. However, I have learned that asking questions and seeking support is not a weakness. It is an important part of the scientific process and helps improve both the research and my own skill set.
Finally, I sometimes feel that academia could benefit from a more comprehensive feedback culture. One that focuses not only on scientific work, but also on the development of soft skills. In research, there is often a strong emphasis on building technical expertise, yet skills such as project management, leading meetings, contributing to discussions, and collaborating effectively are equally important. In my view, more regular and structured feedback on these aspects would help normalize two-way feedback and support early-career scientists in growing not only as researchers, but also as professionals.
Altogether, I see these challenges as valuable learning opportunities. I find research to be an incredibly rewarding career path: every day brings the chance to learn something new, tackle interesting problems, and contribute to a better understanding of the world around us.
Magali Ponds