Speakers

Keynote talks

Alison McLeod
Alison is Director - Photonics Scotland, Technology Scotland. Alison has more than 20 years of experience working in academic, industrial and consultancy roles. After achieving her PhD in Photonics, she worked as a Research Associate before leaving academia and joining industry in the role of technical sales/account manager in the health physics and photonics sectors. Alison then moved to a role dedicated to project management and proposal writing for EU funded projects, gaining extensive experience across a wide variety of research topics. In her current role Alison is responsible for the Photonics Scotland network at Technology Scotland, a community for all photonics and photonics-enabled organisations in Scotland: connecting members with the support they need, fostering cross-collaboration, representing the interests and capabilities of the sector to stakeholders as well as planning and running specific events and activities for the Photonics Scotland network.

Karen Haughian
Karen Haughian is a researcher in gravitational wave detector development working in the Institute for Gravitational Research at the University of Glasgow. She graduated with a degree in Mathematics and Physics in 2008 and then completed a PhD in materials research for gravitational wave detectors in 2012. Since then, she has worked with institutes around the world on detector development as part of the LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA collaboration. She is passionate about outreach and making physics accessible to everyone and joined the IOP Scotland committee in 2018 to help further this goal.

Parallel Session 1

Andrew Kirkwood
Andrew is a Physics teacher at Robert Gordon's College. He has recently completed an MEd in Professional Education at Aberdeen University, where he developed a keen interest in pupil voice activities and Lesson Study.

Parallel Session 2

Andy Buckley
Andy Buckley is a professor of particle physics at the University of Glasgow, working on a mix of the ATLAS experiment at CERN and modelling of strong-force physics for future colliders. He leads the outreach programme in particle physics at the University of Glasgow.

Parallel Session 3

Cheryl Patrick
Cheryl Patrick is an STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellow and lecturer in Experimental Particle Physics at the University of Edinburgh, and a member of the IOP high-energy particle physics and astroparticle physics committees. Her research is in neutrino physics, and she is currently co-spokesperson of the international SuperNEMO collaboration.

Parallel Session 4

Stephen Welsh
Stephen is a physics PhD graduate from Glasgow University, with a decade of experience in STEM academia and industry.  He has transitioned into the education sector teaching physics and BGE science.  He has developed a focus on integrating AI tools to innovate teaching methodologies and foster inclusive, conceptually rich learning environments.

Parallel Session 5

Tim Browett  
Tim 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
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.

Parallel Session 6

Stuart Farmer
Stuart Farmer is Learning and Skills Manager for the Institute of Physics in Scotland.  Prior to this he taught physics in Scottish schools for over three decades, was an IOP Teacher Network Coordinator, and has organised and delivered a wide range of physics CLPL.  He is an Honorary Fellow at the University of Stirling Centre into Research into Curriculum Making and has conducted research in the fields of physics education and teacher education.

Parallel Session 7

Fiona Davies
Fiona Davies has a background in Project Engineering and moved into the world of STEM engagement ten years ago. Passionate about inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers, Fiona leads the learning team at Glasgow Science Centre and has a keen understanding of the needs and barriers for students and teachers in STEM learning. Fiona's team creates memorable, curriculum-linked experiences, and works with partners to deliver innovative projects that help to inspire and prepare the STEM workforce of the future.

Stuart Meiklejohn
Stuart Meiklejohn has a DPhil in Stem Cell Biology, and his postdoctoral research focused on their therapeutic use. He then moved into science education, where he worked for over a decade. He is a former Head of Science at a London secondary school and now works as a project coordinator at Glasgow Science Centre. He leads the coordination of various projects, focusing on inspiring the next generation and making connections between secondary students and industry.

Parallel Session 8

Pete Colquhoun 
Pete Colquhoun is Depute Headteacher at Moffat Academy and also works as an Associate Regional Trainer and Verifier for the Young STEM Leader Programme led by SSERC.

Drew Burrett
Drew Burrett is a physics teacher and IOPS Physics Coach based in Ayrshire. He has delivered an extensive range of CLPL sessions both in person and online. He is a regular contributor to the IOP Sputnik email forum.

Parallel Session 9

Stuart Farmer
Stuart Farmer is Learning and Skills Manager for the Institute of Physics in Scotland.  Prior to this he taught physics in Scottish schools for over three decades, was an IOP Teacher Network Coordinator, and has organised and delivered a wide range of physics CLPL.  He is an Honorary Fellow at the University of Stirling Centre into Research into Curriculum Making and has conducted research in the fields of physics education and teacher education.