Meet the people who make up STEM Faculty.
Professor of Astrophysics and Director Of Teaching
I lead a research group in extragalactic astrophysics, focused on the impact and interplay of jets from supermassive black holes and their galaxy environments. I contribute to physics and astronomy teaching, currently as Director of Teaching.
I was formerly a Principal Research Fellow at the University of Southampton (2015-2017), Academic Director for Physical Sciences at the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education (2014-2016), and Lecturer in Physics at the University of Southampton (2009-2015).
I was a Research Fellow at the University of Hertfordshire (2005-2009), Associate Lecturer (part-time) with the Open University (2006-2008) and Postdoctoral researcher at the Service d'Astrophysique, Commission d'Energie Atomique (Saclay) (2004-2005).
I obtained my PhD from the University of Bristol in 2004, and my MSci (Physics with Astrophysics) also from the University of Bristol in 2001.
My research interests include the physics of extragalactic jets, the physics of galaxy groups and clusters, high-energy astrophysics, the evolution of galaxy groups and large-scale structure, and next-generation X-ray and radio facilities, including NewAthena, LOFAR, and SKA. I'm an active member of the LOFAR Extragalactic Surveys team, and have previously served as a member of the ESA Science Study Team and as Topical Panel chair for the Athena (now NewAthena) next-generation X-ray observatory. I am currently a member of the ESA Astronomy Working Group and serve on UKRI STFC Science Board (PPAN).
I have taught a variety of courses in physics and astronomy at undergraduate and postgraduate level, including core physics, stellar evolution, galaxies, high-energy astrophysics and cosmology.
I am currently the Director of Teaching for the School of Physical Sciences. My previous teaching activities at the Open University include serving as module chair for the production of S385 Cosmology and the distant Universe, chairing S282 Astronomy and making major contributions to the production of S284 Astronomy, and working on the module teams for SXPA288 Practical Science: Physics and Astronomy, S382 Astrophysics, and S383 The Relativistic Universe.
