BIOGRAPHY

MEDIA

• The Sky at Night
• Robson Green’s Northumberland
• BBC Stargazing Live
• LIve appearances  BBC Newsnight, local & national BBC News, Sky News, Look North
• Searching For Light documentary filmed on location at European Southern Observatory sites in Chile
• BBC Radio 4 Today, BBC Newcastle, Tyne Tees, 5Live, BBC Radio 4 You & Yours

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

• North-West Astro Fest 2013
• BBC Stargazing Live 2013 Gibside National Trust event
• Bowmore Distillery ‘Darkest Nights’ promotional event - London
• Centre for Life Astronomy Season - Newcastle
• Private and corporate functions at Kielder Observatory

AWARDS

• 2013 Visit England Gold Award - Kielder Observatory events played a ‘key role in judges decision’
• 2013 VONNE Outstanding Leader
• 2012 Honorary MSc Durham University ‘in recognition of outstanding achievements in astronomy outreach’

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS,QUALIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Honorary Master of Science in Astronomy and Physics from University of Durham (awarded 2012)
• Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (elected 2007)                   
• Member British Astronomy Association
• STEM Ambassador
• Enhanced CRB check

Founder Director and Lead Astronomer Kielder Observatory, Northumberland (September 2005 - present)

•  Science Communication Program Manager & Presenter
• Presented to 45,000 visitors at on-site events over 6 years
• School Roadshow program design and delivery
• Developed Kielder Observatory from dream, to concept, to reality
• Fundraiser and volunteer co-ordinator

Director Orion Bricklaying Services (Sept 2004 – 2013)

• Coordinate large team of subcontractors for high profile building projects in North-East
• Extensive ‘problem-solving’ requiring excellent communication skills
• Business development and administration
• Gold-standard expertise on building sites (time served bricklayer 1987-2004)

ASTRONOMY SOCIETIES AND ACTIVISM

• International Dark Sky Association (2010-2013)                                                                       
• Application September 2013
• Kielder Observatory, Kielder Water Forest Park & Northumberland National Park
•  Kielder Observatory Astronomical Society (2007-2012)
•  Kielder Forest Star Camps (2003-2012)
• Conceived idea and led committee to launch first camps
• Ranked in Top 10 Star Parties internationally
• Cygnus Observatory at Washington Wildfowl Centre (2002-2005)
• Inspired SAS to raise funds and develop project
• Built the Observatory by hand
• Sunderland Astronomical Society (1991-2003) Secretary and Member