Invited Speakers

Keynotes

Alom Shaha is a dad of two, author, and science teacher who has spent most of his working life sharing his passion for science and education with the public. As well as writing books, he has created, written, produced, directed, and appeared in a wide range of science communication and education projects. His portfolio of works ranges from TV series to live science shows to CPD videos for teachers which have been used by teacher training institutions around the world. He teaches part-time at a comprehensive school in London.

Professor David Fowler trained in Environmental Physics at Nottingham University, completing a PhD on the deposition of SO2 to crops and soil in 1976. He worked on the surface - atmosphere exchange processes of trace gases and particulate matter. The research has been applied to ozone, acid deposition, the global biogeochemical cycle of nitrogen, emissions of greenhouse gases, particles, and effects of pollutants on vegetation. He also has a particular interest in the policy applications of air quality research and has been closely involved with policy teams in the UK, the EU and UNECE. He was elected to the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1999, the Royal Society of London in 2002 and was awarded a CBE in 2005.

Workshop 1

XinRan Liu is the Head of Science, Research and Innovation at UNDO. We are working to permanently remove a billion tonnes of CO₂ with enhanced weathering – a scalable, breakthrough carbon removal technology that’s accessible globally.

Workshop 2

Ian Robinson has been teaching in sixth forms for some 30 years, mostly physics with some diversions into computing, engineering, electronics, and maths. For much of this time he has developed various science enrichment activities released open-source to schools and citizen scientists.

Workshop 3

Iain Moore is a senior teaching fellow in the Strathclyde Institute of Education and has significant experience in the field of physics education. Iain is currently the Chair of the Institute of Physics Scotland committee and co-authored one of the major textbooks for the Higher course in Scotland. His research interests lie in science education for people aged 3 and up and has a particular interest in improving practical aspects of education.

Laura Gray is an experienced science technician working in the University of Strathclyde Institute of Education. She is responsible for the running of the physics and biology labs. She supervises students in the labs and advises on practical work, specifically on BA and BSc STEM with teaching science modules. Laura has been participating in educational research within the institute as a result of her position. She recently completed her MEd Education Studies with a dissertation focussing on confidence in Primary Science.

Workshop 4

Paul Griffin is Co-lead on the International Quantum Space Technology Network and Director of Physics Public Engagement at the University of Strathclyde. Paul has been involved with quantum research for 20 years. His work focusses on the application of atomic, laser and quantum technologies. His group develops atomic clocks, matter-wave interferometers, and quantum magnetometers, focussed on real world applications. Recent work that he’s especially proud of includes using atomic physics to measure the heartbeat of a cow and making a handheld device that can cool atoms to millionths of a degree above absolute zero, to be used for navigation without GPS.

Workshop 5

Tim Browett teaches physics at Banchory Academy in Aberdeenshire having entered teaching after a career in IT. He is a keen amateur astronomer and interested in all things space related.

Martyn Crawshaw is PT Sciences at Millburn Academy, Inverness and has extensive experience of teaching S4 physics including radioactivity. Martyn is keen on the use of practical work, modelling and effective use of simulations to promote learning in physics.

Workshop 6

Stuart Farmer was a teacher of physics in Scotland for over 30 years before becoming the Scottish Learning and Skills Manager for IOP in February 2019. Throughout his career he has been active in curriculum and assessment development and providing professional learning for teachers. Since 2014 he has worked with the Perimeter Institute in Canada to bring their education resources to teachers in the UK and Ireland. He has particular interests in the teaching and learning of physics, practical work in physics, and in teacher professional learning. He blogs at stuartphysics.co.uk.

Workshop 7

Andrew Bailey teaches physics at Grove Academy in Broughty Ferry and is an IOP Scotland Physics Coach.

After a PhD in Laser Physics Catherine Dunn worked at Bell Street Technical Dundee for two years before embarking on 36 years of teaching physics. She has twice represented the UK at Science on Stage festivals. For the last twelve years she has worked part-time as part of the physics team at SSERC.

Workshop 8

Malcolm Thomson has been teaching physics to pupils for 40 years, mentored many student teachers and been delivering CLPL face to face and online for several years. Throughout his career he has been actively involved in curriculum development and assessment at a national level in Physics and Practical Electronics. He still pines for the loss of the Researching Physics Unit.

Matthew Burke has taught since 2017, and now teaches Physics and Engineering Science at Lochaber Highschool. Matthew is keen on showing the uses of Physics in the area surrounding the school and works closely with DYW and other local partners to ensure pupils can see the links between what they are learning in class and the jobs both in the local area and internationally.

Workshop 9

Jennie Hargreaves is a physics teacher and IOPS Physics Coach based in Dumfries and Galloway. She has extensive experience developing innovative teaching and learning materials and projects to enthuse young people to study physics. This has resulted in her attending conferences as far afield as Hungary, Portugal, and the USA to share her enthusiasm for teaching physics.