Ex Physics Teacher Turned Systems Engineer Working on HARMONI, an Instrument for the Extremely Large Telescope

Hello there! A bit about myself... I hold a Master's degree in Physics from the University of Bath (2017) and an advanced Master's in Space Studies from KU Leuven (2024). My teaching and tutoring background includes two years of private tutoring in Bath, UK (2016–2018) and one year as a Grade 9 physics teacher in the UAE (2019–2020). I've also spent a year as a physics writer developing GCSE and A-level resources for UK schools, and three years creating physics content for Alef, an e-learning platform in the UAE. After six years in secondary/comprehensive physics education, I returned to university to study the space industry. I've since joined the UK Astronomy Technology Centre, based at the Royal Observatory Edinburgh, as a Graduate Systems Engineer. My main project is HARMONI, a first-generation instrument for the Extremely Large Telescope being built in Armazones, Chile. At 39.8 m in diameter, this optical and near-infrared telescope will be the largest in the world, offering unrivalled views into the depths of the cosmos. While engineering is my day job, I still have a real passion for teaching and have loved the public engagement work that comes with being part of the observatory. I'd like to build on that by taking on a few students for the coming academic year and helping them on their journey through the wonderful world of physics. A bit about my lessons... My lessons are student-led: I'm there mainly to nudge in the right direction rather than lead from the front. I believe learning through self-exploration builds stronger understanding and is more enjoyable than passive instruction. The ability to independently research a topic is a skill for life, and my aim is for students to leave our sessions having developed that skill — not just learned the topic — so they can go on to teach themselves whatever comes next. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch.