Science is a journey of discovery. Students are travelers,
seeking out the marvels of the Universe; their teachers are their guides.
Together they follow the paths forged by researchers,
those most intrepid explorers of uncharted territory.
Welcome...
...to my web site.
Through my company, Acorn Enterprises Ltd, I provide a range of science communication services both on and off the Isle of Man. Through these I aim to help others appreciate and understand the marvels of the physical universe which I find so fascinating.
My background is in the physical sciences – specifically I have an MPhys in Physics with Astrophysics and a PhD in Cosmology – and I have a long-standing interest in communicating mathematical subjects to a range of audiences, from primary school children to pensioners.
You can read more about my principle activities – tutoring, giving talks and running workshops and master classes – in the relevant sections of this web site, but I am always interested in, and willing to organize or help with, other science communication projects so please feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss something a little out of the ordinary. If you're stuck for ideas or inspiration, take a look at the other projects page to see some previous events I have been involved with.
News
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WexWorlds
October 14th, 2009
On the third weekend in November, I will be giving 4 talks at WexWorlds Science Fiction and Fantasy Festival, in Ireland. I will be speaking about time travel, giving demonstrations involving liquid nitrogen and microwaves, and also giving a talk about the science of "And Another Thing...", the latest Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy book, by Eoin Colfer, who is also a guest at the convention. -
Mathematics and Science in Action
February 12th, 2009
In March I will be speaking at both the Mathematics in Action and Science in Action days at Imperial College in London. These days are aimed at GCSE students, and include a variety of talks and presentations designed to enthuse young people about maths and science. At the maths days I will be giving a talk on Maths and Beauty, and I will be both chairing and giving a short talk on Everyday Science at the Science days. More details of both of these talks will be available in the "Talks and Workshops" section of this website soon. -
Happy New Year (of Astronomy)!
January 7th, 2009
Happy New Year! 2009 is International Year of Astronomy, commemorating the 400th anniversary of Galileo's use of a telescope to study the night sky, which means that all sorts of Astronomy-related things are happening across the country. Click on the title of this news item above to go to the UK web page for the International Year of Astronomy, where you can view a calendar of UK events and find events near you, or look on the links page for links to other astronomy-related sites such as the Isle of Man Astronomical Society. I will be writing a number of new talks this year, including some based on Cosmology/Astronomy, details of which will be available here soon. -
Physics in Action 2008
December 9th, 2008
Following the success of this autumn's first two Physics in Action days in November, this Thursday (11th December) sees the third and final day, at which I will again be giving my Time Travel talk. I will also be chairing the day, which is designed to be fun, informative, and to give A-level students from across the South-East of the UK a taste of a number of different areas of Physics. The other speakers include Jim McElwaine and Carolyn Crawford from the University of Cambridge, Jonathan Wood, winnner of Famelab 2006, and Ian B. Dunne, professional science communicator and "Science Showman". -
Time Travel at King William's College
September 15th, 2008
On Thursday 18th September I will be giving my talk on the Physics of Time Travel at King William's College on the Isle of Man.
