I am an observational astronomer with over twenty years of active research experience, carried out alongside – and later eclipsed by – a growing role in the public communication of science. This was recognised by my appointment as the Professor of Astronomy for Gresham College 2011 - 2015. I was the Public Astronomer at the Institute of Astronomy, and a College Lecturer, Fellow and Tutor at Emmanuel College. I have many years of practical experience of explaining a large range of astronomical concepts and news to a wide variety of (mostly live) audiences – this includes not just the creation and delivery of lectures and presentations, but also participating in much more informal and interactive discussions. I also enjoy discussing astronomical matters on both national and local radio.

A short CV is available.

You can also listen (c/o the BBC iPlayer) to my appearances on the BBC Radio 4 Programme In Our Time, discussing: Eclipses (2020); Venus (2018); The Kuiper Belt (2017); Saturn (2016); dark matter (2015); the Sun (2014); cosmic rays (2013); exoplanets (2013); the Moon (2011); the age of the Universe (2011); the cool Universe (2010); gravitational waves (2007); galaxies (2006); asteroids (2005); dark energy (2005); the planets (2004).

During the ten years 2006-2016 I delivered a total of 850 presentations to a total audience of over 62,200 people.

Specifically, here are the details of all the Outreach & Educational talks I have given in : 2019 - 2018 - 2017 - 2016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009 - 2008 - 2007 - 2006

and my media activity in : 2019 - 2018 - 2017 - 2016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009 - 2008 - 2007 - 2006

I was fortunate enough to be chosen as one of the UKRC's 2009 Outstanding Women of Achievement for "Communication of SET with a contribution to society"

Research publications
My research career involved studying the properties and immediate environment of the most massive central galaxies in the Universe - those lying at the core of rich clusters of galaxies.
I have an h-number of 44 (as of Feb 2021).
Full research publications list or more recent publications only.

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