A day designed for early career researchers, combining career guidance, communication skills and networking. Participants can explore career paths both inside and outside academia, hear why clear communication matters when sharing research, and meet others to build a supportive professional community across the UK.
The career panel features astrophysicists and data scientists who have moved between research, government and industry. Panellists include Dr James Kirk (Imperial College London), a Royal Society University Research Fellow who studies exoplanet atmospheres using observations from JWST, Dr Martin Bourne (University of Hertfordshire), a Senior Lecturer and UKRI Stephen Hawking Fellow who uses large simulations to study supermassive black holes, Prof. Lucie Green (Mullard Space Science Laboratory), who researches solar eruptions and their effects on Earth, and Dr Nicola Brassington (UK Competition and Markets Authority), a former astrophysicist who now leads data science and engineering there.
The afternoon science communication session brings together speakers including Natasha Carr (University of Leicester), a science communicator and content creator, Dr Nicolas Bonne (University of Portsmouth), a blind astronomer who leads the Tactile Universe project on accessible astronomy resources, and Dr Elizabeth Cunningham (University of Edinburgh), who uses Lego and hands-on activities to engage people with science.
- 10:30 - 10:45: Welcome and introduction
- 10:45 - 12:30: Career panel
- 12:30 - 14:00: Lunch
- 14:00 - 15:30: Science communication session
The event takes place at The Royal Astronomical Society, Piccadilly, London.
