Emma completed her PhD in Physics at the University of Warwick in 2008, with a thesis entitled "The Structural Role of Lone-Pair Ions in Glass". This studentship focused on the interaction of heavy metal ions, such as lead and tellurium, with traditional network glasses such as borates and aluminates. The research was part-funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and, upon completion, Emma was employed by STFC as an instrument scientist for the GeM diffractometer at the ISIS Pulsed Neutron and Muon Source, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (2008-2011).