This event is catered towards early career researchers. We will explore different career pathways both within and beyond academia, discuss the importance of effective communication for sharing our research and provide a platform to make professional connections and build a supportive community within the UK. There will be a careers panel and a discussion on science communication, as well as some time for networking.
Event timetable:
10:30 – 10:45: Welcome and introduction
10:45 – 12:30: Career panel
12:30 – 14:00: Lunch
14:00 – 15:30: Science communication session
Career panel:
Dr James Kirk (Imperial College London):
Dr James Kirk is a Royal Society University Research Fellow at Imperial College London who uses observations of transiting exoplanet atmospheres to test theories of planet formation and evolution. He obtained his PhD from the University of Warwick, where his thesis work focussed on using ground-based telescopes to observe clouds and hazes within the atmospheres of short-period gas giant exoplanets (hot Jupiters). He subsequently moved to the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics where, as a postdoc, he led new discoveries of escaping exoplanet atmospheres via measurements of exoplanetary helium and was a key member of the JWST Early Release Science Transiting Exoplanet Programme. At Imperial College he has continued his heavy involvement in JWST science, including directing a programme to test how the compositions of hot Jupiters depend on their evolutionary pathways and leading studies of whether Earth-sized exoplanets can retain their atmospheres in the face of intense stellar radiation.
Dr. Martin Bourne (University of Hertfordshire):
Martin Bourne is a Senior Lecturer and UKRI Stephen Hawking Fellow at the Centre for Astrophysics Research, University of Hertfordshire. He studied for an MPhys at the University of Oxford, then trained as a secondary school physics teacher at the University of Bath before returning to research for a PhD at the University of Leicester. He spent around six and a half years as a postdoc at the Institute of Astronomy and Kavli Institute for Cosmology in Cambridge, split either side of a spell in industry as a software developer at Cambridge Intelligence. His research uses large computer simulations to understand how supermassive black holes grow and how the jets and winds they launch shape galaxies and galaxy clusters. He co-founded AGN UK, a national research network for the study of active galactic nuclei. Martin is openly queer and believes we do our best research when we can be ourselves. He’s glad to talk about being LGBTQ+ in academia, as well as the realities of a less conventional career.
Prof. Lucie Green (Mullard Space Science Laboratory):
Lucie is a Professor of Physics based at the Mullard Space Science Laboratory, UCL’s Department of Space and Climate Physics and studies activity in the atmosphere of our nearest star, the Sun. In particular, looking at immense magnetic fields in the Sun’s
atmosphere which sporadically erupt into the Solar System. If these eruptions reach the Earth they can drive major space weather events. She is interested in how the magnetic configuration of the eruptions relates to geomagnetic activity and what this means for those living in the UK.
Dr Nicola Brassington (UK Competition and Markets Authority):
Nicky Brassington is a former astrophysicist turned government data science leader. After a PhD in astrophysics, she spent four years as a postdoc at the Harvard- Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and continued her research in Europe and the UK, studying galaxy evolution using multi-wavelength observations. She subsequently moved into government, building a career in data science and AI across tax, fraud, education, health, and competition and consumer policy. She is now a member of the Senior Civil Service and Director of Data Science and Engineering at the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority.
Science communication session:
Natasha Carr (University of Leicester):
Natasha is a postgraduate researcher at the University of Leicester. Based at Space Park Leicester, Natasha works between the Planetary and Space Projects and Instrumentation groups in the School of Physics and Astronomy. Her research aims to develop a novel, in-situ X-ray telescope concept, focusing on the advancement of X-ray optics, to observe Jupiter. Alongside her research, Natasha is a science communicator and content creator (@natasha_in_space on Instagram and TikTok), hoping to inspire young women and girls to pursue a career in STEM and space! She also appears as a subject specialist on BBC News and Radio - most recently as part of the team following the Artemis II mission.
Dr Nicolas Bonne (University of Portsmouth):
Originally from Australia, Dr Nic Bonne is a blind astronomer working as a Public Engagement and Outreach Fellow at the University of Portsmouth's Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation. He currently leads the STFC funded Tactile Universe public engagement project, which is developing free multi-sensory resources to give people who are blind or have low vision more accessible ways to engage with current topics in astronomy. Nic also works with others both nationally and internationally to find ways to communicate their science in more accessible ways.
Dr Elizabeth Cunningham (University of Edinburgh):
Elizabeth is a nuclear physicist working in science communication, who spends a lot of time using Lego to excite people about science! She is currently employed by the University of Edinburgh to manage their Remote3programme, engaging remote Scottish schools with the amazing science that happens 1.1km underground at the STFC Boulby Underground Laboratory. She is just about to start a project for the University of Surrey inspiring young carers to explore STEM through the lens of space science. In her spare
time, she runs a special educational needs space workshops for the IOP, funded by the RAS. In a varied career researching and engaging people with astronomy, astrophysics, particle and nuclear physics, she has examined the exotic matter created in stars at Canada’s National Nuclear Physics Laboratory, completed her doctorate in theoretical Nuclear Astrophysics at the University of Surrey and studied the atmosphere of Saturn’s moon Titan at Imperial. She spent a fantastic three years as a Planetarium Astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich (ROG) and eleven years as a Public Engagement Manager at the Science and Technology Facilities Council engaging people with their amazing research. She currently enjoys the privilege of serving as a Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Surrey, Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), Astronomer Emeritus at the ROG and Insight Lecturer for Cunard and the RAS.
Dr Soheb Mandhai (University of Manchester):
Soheb is an Astrophysics post-doc at the University of Manchester, researching the orbital evolution of compact binaries within their host galaxies to explain violent cosmic explosions. He is a science artist that has created research visualisations for press-releases internationally. Soheb brings expertise in running science-art initiatives within Astronomy. He has given talks, lectures, and delivered workshops teaching people how to utilise artistic methods (mostly using open-source software) in science. With his team, he has organised and led sessions on science communication at the European Society (Europe-wide) and National Astronomy (UK) meetings and has also been featured in the RAS A&G magazine.
Book your place
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Convenor
Dr Christina Schoettler
Accessibility information
Please note that this venue is currently not wheelchair accessible as the ramp is temporarily out of order, and step-free access is unavailable.
We apologise for any inconvenience and are working to restore full accessibility.
If you have any access requirements or questions, please contact us at events@ras.ac.uk or call us on 020 7734 4582.