In today's world of rapidly advancing science, I want to ensure the public are able to engage with science and understand the cutting edge research which is being done. I am the founder of the Our Universe Revealed public lecture series at Notre Dame and have presented to school groups, astronomical societies and the wider publics through talks, demonstrations and other events.
Outreach Activities
Our Universe Revealed
I am the founder and while at Notre Dame, was the series coordinator of Our Universe Revealed which is the public talk series designed for the local South Bend community. This talk series engages the public with topics across science and engineering tackling big picture questions and giving access to cutting edge research topics. The series has grown from an initial focus around the Department of Physics & Astronomy at Notre Dame, to now being a broad collaboration including the College of Science at Notre Dame, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at IUSB and the St. Joe County Public Library.
Campus Observatory
I support the observatory on campus at the University of Notre Dame and manage and maintain the 0.8m Sarah L. Krizmanich Telescope. The observatory is used for student classes as well as hosting public stargazing events.
Royal Astronomical Society Guest Lecturer
I lecture on board Cunard's ocean liner Queen Mary 2 on behalf of the Royal Astronomical Society.
Media Engagement
I regular speak with local media outlets on astronomy and science related topics.
Upcoming Events
Royal Astronomical Society Guest Lecturer - Queen Elizabeth (Q324) - July 2023
I will be giving a series of astronomy lectures onboard Queen Elizabeth during the Alaska cruise from Vancouver in July 2023.
If you would like me to give a talk or attend an event, please contact me.
Materials
Gregorian Calendar to Julian Date Converter
Local Sidereal Time Calculator
Previous Events
1st March 2022 - Our Universe Revealed Online Talk Series
Title: The Next Decade in Astronomy
31st March 2020 - Our Universe Revealed Online Talk Series
Title: Measuring the Heavens: How to build an instrument to study the cosmos
4th February 2020 - Our Universe Revealed Talk Series, University of Notre Dame
Title: Building the World's Biggest Telescopes
10th December 2019 - Our Universe Revealed Talk Series, University of Notre Dame
Title: Extremes of the Planets [All Ages Event]
July 2019 - Royal Astronomical Society Guest Lecturer, Queen Mary 2 (M921)
I presented a series of four lectures and live planetarium shows during the voyage of Cunard's Queen Mary 2 from Southampton to New York. The titles and a copy of my lectures can be found below.
- Our Place in the Universe
- Measuring the Heavens: The Tools of Astronomy
- Movies vs Astronomy
- Exploring the Solar System
1st June 2019 - 11th Annual Michiana Star Party, Dr. T. K. Lawless Park, MI
Title: Measuring the heavens - Building next generation astrophysics instruments
14th May 2019 - Our Universe Revealed Talk Series, University of Notre Dame
Title: Headlines from the Solar System
4th September 2018 - Our Universe Revealed Talk Series, University of Notre Dame
Title: Movies versus Astronomy – Science Fact or Science Fiction?
March 2018 - Royal Astronomical Society Guest Lecturer, Queen Mary 2 (M811)
I presented a series of five lectures and live planetarium shows during the voyage of Cunard's Queen Mary 2 from Sydney to Singapore. The titles and a copy of my lectures can be found below.
- Our Place in the Universe
- The Tools of Astronomy
- The Search for Life and Earth 2.0
- Movies vs Astronomy
- The Next Decade in Astronomy
20th February 2018 - Our Universe Revealed Talks Series, University of Notre Dame
Title: The Next Decade in Astronomy
November 2017 - Royal Astronomical Society Guest Lecturer, Queen Mary 2 (M742)
I presented a series of three lectures and live planetarium shows during the voyage of Cunard's Queen Mary 2 from New York to Southampton. The titles and a copy of my lectures can be found below.
12th September 2017 - Our Universe Revealed Talks Series, University of Notre Dame
Title: The Search for Life & Earth 2.0
20th May 2017 - 9th Annual Michiana Star Party, Dr. T. K. Lawless Park, MI
Title: The Search for Life and Earth 2.0
6th December 2016 - Our Universe Revealed Talks Series, University of Notre Dame
Title: Extremes of the Planets [All Ages Event]
11th October 2016 - South Bend Science Cafe, South Bend Brew Works, South Bend, IN
Title: Out of This World
13th September 2016 - Our Universe Revealed Talks Series, University of Notre Dame
Title: Through the Looking Glass: Our View of the Universe
January/February 2016 - Royal Astronomical Society Guest Lecturer - Queen Mary 2 (M603-2)
I presented a series of four lectures and live planetarium shows during the voyage of Cunard's Queen Mary 2 from New York to Rio de Janiero. The titles and a copy of my lectures can be found below.
8th December 2015 - Our Universe Revealed Talks Series, University of Notre Dame
Title: Extremes of the Planets [All Ages Event]
October 2014 - Royal Astronomical Society Guest Lecturer - Queen Mary 2 (M423)
I presented a series of four lectures during the voyage of Cunard's Queen Mary 2 from Southampton to New York. The titles and a copy of my lectures can be found below.
- Our place in the Universe
- The Tools of Astronomy
- Exploring the Solar System
- The Next Decade in Astronomy
22nd March 2014 - Institute of Astronomy Open Day
Title: Horrible Heavens - The Petrifying Planets
12th March 2014 - Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge
Title: Weather of the Solar System
22nd January 2014 - Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge
Title: The next decade in Astronomy: The unanswered questions
15th March 2013 - Cambridge Science Festival
Title: Horrible Heavens - The Petrifying Planets
23rd January 2013 - Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge
Title: The Devil's in the detail - high resolution imaging in Astronomy
9th Janurary 2013 - BBC Stargazing LIVE, Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge
Title: Building the Biggest Telescopes
Title: Curious about Mars
10th October 2013 - Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge
Title: Curious about Mars
24th March 2012 - Institute of Astronomy Open Day (4:30pm & 5:30pm)
Title: Horrible Heavens - The Petrifying Planets
14th March 2012 - Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge
Title: Building the BIGGEST Telescopes
14th December 2011 - Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge
Title: Horrible Heavens - The Petrifying Planets
2nd November 2011 - Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge
Title: Twenty Years of the Hubble Space Telescope
26th March 2011 - Institute of Astronomy Open Day
Event: Build your own rocket!
Title: Robotic Exploration of the Solar System
17th March 2011 - Cambridge Science Festival Schools Roadshow (Witchford Village College)
Title: Exploring the Solar System
8th March 2011 - Peterborough Science Festival
Title: Exploring the Solar System
2nd March 2011 - Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge
Title: The Science of Stopping Stars Scintillating