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Overview
Overview
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.
Coaching
Coaching
I am working towards a Level 5 Certification in Coaching and Mentoring assigned by the Institute of Leadership and Management, which I will be completing across 2026 and into 2027. I decided to start this after experiences the benefits of being coached myself, and finding that I was applying coaching principles and techniques to many of the mentoring interactions I was having. Coaching really can be transformative by unlocking the potential within individuals. As part of my training I will be looking for volunteer coachees who will be coached by myself, with the sessions evaluated by the coachee and myself so that I can learn and improve.
Mentoring
Mentoring
I have over a decade of experience mentoring academics in my role of a supervisor and group leader. I've found this extremely rewarding, especially when I can see the growth and development of the people I work with. It is particularly inspiring to see those who might have faced additional barriers to flourish and reach their potential. A full list of people I have advised/mentored is available on my academic CV. Here I provide some examples and their brief testimonials.
Group Feedback
Group Feedback
In 2025 I was honoured to receive a nominated from the Astro-Obs PhD students for an "Education Award" at Newcastle University, they collectively said:
"Dr Harrison's exemplifies everything a leader and an academic mentor should be. Dr Harrison is an exceptional individual whose dedication to academic mentorship, leadership, and support has profoundly impacted both his immediate team and the wider Astro group. Dr Harrison is known for continuously going above and beyond to foster an inclusive environment for everyone, where intellectual growth and professional development thrive. Beyond leading the Astro Group, Dr Harrison has made (and is still making) significant investment in the personal and professional development of his team. Moreover, Dr Harrison always provides the same level of care and attention to anyone seeking guidance, regardless of whether they are part of his team or not. Within the PGR cohort, he has become the go-to person for academic support. Those who had the privilege of working with Dr Harrison describe him as: supportive, diligent, principled, encouraging, and compassionate."
This is a word cloud produced by the members of my research group, based of comments about my leadership, which they kindly presented to me on my birthday in 2024.
Houda, originally from Morocco, studied in France and London before coming to Newcastle as a PhD student (2022-2026). I have been on her advisory team. She is an award winning scientist and communicator, for example as: a short listed finalist for the Muslim Women Awards (STEM) in 2025; a national finalist in the STEM4Brit competition (2024); and a regional finalist for the 3 Minute Thesis competition. Houda said:
"Chris is an excellent leader who leads by example. Throughout my time working with Chris, what I appreciate most about his style of leadership is his ability to lead with compassion and empower others, focusing on providing the tools and support they need to foster growth, both within his team and across other groups."
After completing her PhD Vicky came to Newcastle to work as a Research Associate for 3.5 years, where she led numerous scientific and public engagement projects. Her achievements have been acknowledged through various awards and accolades, such as winning the Caroline Herschel Prize Lectureship (2025) and the overall winner of Newcastle University's Engagement and Place Awards 2025 (Engaging for Cultural Benefit). After Newcastle she went on to hold a research fellowship at the European Southern Observatory.
"Chris has been an excellent mentor over the past few years, giving me the support and push I needed to achieve a lot both scientifically, but also through public engagement and outreach. Working with Chris has greatly improved my confidence and taught me the importance of enjoying the job rather than constantly worrying about the future. He has supported me with job application writing, grant proposals, presentation skills, mock interviews, and management skills. These have all helped me in securing a fellowship and leading my own science."
Samuel conducted his undergraduate studies in Durham before performing his PhD research across the European Southern Observatory and Newcastle. I was part of his advisory team during his studies. He then went on to hold a Fellowship at the Flatiron Institute Centre for Computational Astrophysics. Samuel said:
"Chris has a real strength in building community and bringing out the best in people, and his supportive and self-aware approach consistently left me feeling more motivated and positive after our meetings. He is the kind of supervisor and mentor I aspire to be someday."
Ann Njeri
Ann Njeri
Ann is originally from Kenya. She moved to Manchester to undertake her PhD research before moving to Newcastle for her first research associate position. In addition to her astrophysics, she's a inspirational leader of supporting African women to complete high school and go on to further education through her amazing programme Elimisha Msichana Elimisha Jamii na Astronomia (Swahili for “educate a girl, educate the entire community with Astronomy”). She's a multi-award winner for this work, including winning the L'Oreal UK & Ireland UNESCO UK Women in Science Rising Talent Award 2024 and as a finalist for the Inspiring Women in Science category at the Nature Awards 2025.
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