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I am Chris! Through global collaboration I hope we can create the knowledge needed to solve the challenges we face, to make the world a better place, and to understand the Universe we live in. I also believe everyone should have the ability to access and contribute to knowledge. I work as an academic researcher (specialising in astrophysics and data sonification), as a public communicator (focussing on reaching under-represented audiences), and supporting individuals and teams to achieve their ambitions (via coaching, mentoring, training, and facilitation).
Me next to the KMOS instrument at the Very Large Telescope in Chile.
My research areas are: (1) astrophysics, with a focus on understanding how galaxies formed and the role of growing supermassive black holes (i.e., Active Galactic Nuclei; AGN) using a suite of observations and simulations and (2) data sonification, with a focus on how we can use sound to represent data to enhance scientific discovery and to make science more accessible to everyone. I also have a strong passion for enhancing research culture through open research practices and building healthy and psychologically safe working environments.
Currently, I am a Reader in Astrophysics and hold a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship at Newcastle University. I am part of, and currently co-ordinate the Astrophysics and Observational Cosmology group.
My academic CV is available here and my publication list is here.
I have around 20 years of experience working in public engagement roles and leading engagement projects. This includes jobs at the Royal Observatory Edinburgh and the European Southern Observatory's Supernova Planetarium and Visitors Centre.
I have led engagement projects at the local, national and international level. I have a particular interest in accessible public engagement and reaching underrepresented audiences. I am particularly interested in working with demographic groups who typically are not engaged with science or have accesibility challenges.
I am driven to invoke effective teaching in my role as a lecturer and tutor.
Me with Rachel (a specialist teacher or vision impaired students), Leigh (a composer), and Amrit (our accessibility consultant) at the opening of our accessible planetarium show, Audio Universe: Tour of the Solar System.
I am passionate about helping people to achieve their ambitions and to reach their potential. Towards this, I am working towards a certification in coaching. This builds on over a decade of experience in mentoring early career academics. I've found it particularly rewarding working with those who are under-represented in academia, to help them navigate the career and tackle the barriers they face. I have also played a role in advising and consulting on workplace culture in academic environments.
I enjoy running training sessions covering a wide range of topics including: communication; research culture; creativity; productivity; and well-being at work.
I find joy in facilitation of workshops and ideation sessions. In particular, those which bring together diverse groups to solve complex problems (e.g., interdisciplinary researchers, or those from different cultures).
Beyond work
Beyond work
Outside of work I find pleasure in travelling, playing music (saxophone, bass guitar) and keeping active (mostly running). I particularly enjoy doing these things with my family (although they don't want to join me running!).
Visiting the Bolivian Salar de Uyuni.
Playing in Whitley Bay Carnival with the Spanish City Roller (and dragging along my daughter who didn't want to bring along her trumpet..)
Exhausted towards the end of the North Tyneside 10km run in 2024.
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