First of all, let me introduce myself. My name is Gail Riekie and I am the new Methane Network Co-ordinator, reporting to Dr. Vincent Gauci at the Open University. My role will involve engaging members of the UK/international methane community in MethaneNet, and working with the project leadership team to help organise relevant meetings and events, maintain the MethaneNet website, produce papers for policy makers and edit special journal issues and other outputs from meetings. For the most part I shall be working remotely from my home in Aberdeen, but shall be travelling down to the Open University on a regular basis and to other partner institutions when required.

You may be wondering who I am and what I am doing in the post, so let me explain, briefly. I have just completed a PhD investigating anaerobic methane oxidation in soils.
Before that, I worked for over twenty years as an oil and gas industry geophysicist. My decision to change tack and pursue a long-standing interest in environmental science was prompted by increasing concern about environmental issues, in particular the impact of oil industry activities on the climate. With my background in geosciences, the oil and gas business and research into soil methane fluxes, I hope I am well placed to communicate with scientists and other stakeholders involved in the many different aspects of methane-related research. The success of MethaneNet will depend on the input of everyone involved, and I look forward to working with all members of the 'Methane Community' over the next three years to ensure that the aims of the project are realized and that methane research moves forward in useful and exciting directions. I have much to learn and I shall welcome your suggestions on how to make my contribution as productive as possible.