Zachary Gilbert-Murphy

Why did you get involved in physics outreach activity at university?

My exposure to astronomy and astrophysics as a child was through voluntary outreach programs in school, from both academics and amateur astronomers. Without these experiences, I may have never developed such a strong passion for the field, and progressed to where I am now. Through my outreach, I hope to provide the same opportunity to future astronomers.

How have you benefitted from your physics outreach work, both professionally and personally?

Taking time away from my primary research to deliver content to a non-specialist audience provides me with an opportunity to consolidate knowledge that I perhaps assume I know. Understanding a topic and being able to explain it to someone who may have never heard about it before forces you to challenge your own knowledge on the topic. Beyond an academic perspective, it provides an opportunity to step back and appreciate what got me interested in the field to begin with, and can help to put my work into the bigger picture of why I am doing it.

What hints or tips would you give to other students who are thinking of getting involved in outreach?

Do not be afraid of getting involved because you are worried that you may not be able to answer a specific question etc., your role in outreach is to enable the wider public to access science and provide an environment which inspires them to keep learning beyond their interaction with you, not to give them all the answers.

“It has been brilliant to have Zac involved in our outreach programmes this year! He did a fantastic job as a Science Host in the Moon Palace project events in March, and since then has continued to actively support physics outreach, including judging posters at Cosmic Con, giving talks to Year 12s, and signing up for the upcoming work experience week. Zac is professional, reliable, knowledgeable, and a great communicator, and I want to thank him for his contributions!”
Eliza Hunt, Queen Mary University of London