Becoming an Environmental Scientist: Hannah Rogers on Ecology, Research & Following Curiosity

In this episode of The Guest Speaker, we sit down with Hannah Rogers, an emerging environmental scientist and PhD candidate at the University of Waikato whose research explores epiphytes, ecology, and the future of environmental restoration.

Hannah’s connection to the natural world began early, shaped by parents who encouraged curiosity, outdoor exploration, and a deep respect for the environment. But her pathway was not perfectly linear. After beginning university in health science at Otago, Hannah quickly realised something did not feel right and eventually found her way back to ecology and environmental science.

Now, through her PhD research, Hannah studies epiphytes - plants that grow on other plants for support - and explores what these often-overlooked species can teach us about restoration, resilience, and the future of our cities.

This conversation is for students who love science, nature, fieldwork, research, or simply asking “why?” It is also a reminder that careers are not always obvious from the start, and sometimes the things we are most drawn to are already quietly around us.