Andy Newsam

Professor of Astronomy Education and Engagement
Director of the National Schools' Observatory
Programme Leader for Distance Learning
STFC Science and Society Fellow - see the AstroTour
ESERO-UK Space Ambassador

I am the Director of the National Schools' Observatory (NSO), which allows school children to make observations (and carry out experiments) with the world's largest robotic telescope. The aim of the project is to use astronomy to enthuse and educate children about science and technology as a whole, and to provide a stimulus for innovative and exciting teaching. My work on the NSO is supported by my other roles, which include running a suite of Distance Learning courses in astronomy for the general public, lecturing on our degree, and astronomical research.

My research is varied but generally involves getting observations from large number of telescopes all over the world (and sometimes above it) and trying to measure faint objects or tiny changes in brightness. Because of this, like most scientists, I travel a lot - sometimes to talk to colleagues in different parts of the world, but often to use telescopes which are usually up mountains in isolated places like Hawaii. It's a tough life.

To put some dates and places on all this:

  • 1988-1991: University of Warwick: BSc in Physics with Computing
  • 1991-1994: University of Glasgow: PhD in "Mapping the Large Scale Structure of the Universe"
  • 1994-1998: University of Southampton: Postdoctoral Research Assistant
  • 1998-present: Astrophysics Research Institute, Liverpool John Moores University in a variety of roles:
    • 1998-2002: Education and Research Fellow
    • 2002-2005: Lecturer
    • 2005-2006: Senior Lecturer/Director of the National Schools' Observatory
    • 2006-2012: Reader in Astronomy Education/Director of the NSO
    • 2012-present: Professor of Astronomy Education/NSO Director

More work-related information:

You can find a list of some recent papers (since 2001) here. I am also starting to develop a programme in educational research to support and evaluate some of the innovative educational work done here at the ARI.

I'm also a member of the local branch of the Institute of Physics and helping to develop the work of The BSA on Merseyside. For both of these groups, I help to organise the programme of local events. I organise similar events for the ARI including the annual Merseyside Astronomy Day (or MAD).

Oh, I also give quite a lot of talks to the public, astronomy societies, schools and so on. Fitting them into my diary be tricky, but if you would like to know more, just get in touch

Non-work

Outside work I am very keen on experimental theatre (particularly at the excellent Unity Theatre and in the past at the sadly defunct Gantry Theatre in Southampton).

I occasionally work with the splendid (if not entirely sane) people of Artifice Arts including the highly successful Butlers.

I also take too many photographs

Contact Details

Postal Address:

Astrophysics Research Institute
Liverpool John Moores University
IC2, Liverpool Science Park
146 Brownlow Hill
Liverpool
L3 5RF
United Kingdom

Telephone/FAX

Tel: +44 151 231 2909
FAX: +44 151 231 2921

Email

Schools' Observatory email: andy -at- schoolsobservatory.org

Websites

National Schools' Observatory: www.schoolsobservatory.org
Astronomy by Distance Learning: astronomy.ac.uk
Merseyside Astronomy Day: www.astro.ljmu.ac.uk/MAD
Science Butlers: www.sciencebutlers.org.uk
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