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Chris North

Dr Chris North

(he/him)

Comment
Media commentator

Teams and roles for Chris North

Overview

I am a Reader in the School of Physics and Astronomy. I am also the Director of Undergraduate Studies and the Head of Public Engagement. I work on public engagement, education and data visualisation for a range of projects, most notably the Gravity Exploration Institute.

I am the Academic Lead for the Physics Mentoring Project.

I have significant experience of speaking about a very wide range of astronomy to very broad audiences, and am happy to speak about almost anything in the field of astronomy.

Read more about my outreach activities on my personal blog and the Cardiff Physics Outreach blog. Listen to the "Pythagorean Astronomy" podcast at pythagastro.uk (or find it on Spotify)

Academic duties

  • I am the Director of Recruitment and Admissions for the School of Physics and Astronomy
  • I am the Head of Public Engagement for the School of Physics and Astronomy
  • I coordinate many of the school engagement activities for the School of Physics and Astronomy, most notably the Physics Mentoring Project
  • I present the "Pythagorean Astronomy" podcast
  • I am Chair of the IOP Wales Committee
  • I am Co-Chair of IGrav, the international gravitationa wave outreach group

Professional bodies accreditation/membership

  • Fellow of Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
  • Member of Institute of Physics (MInstP)
  • Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (FRAS)

Publication

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

  • Grainger, W. F. et al. 2010. Thermal architecture for the Clover cryostats. Presented at: Modern Technologies in Space- and Ground-Based Telescopes and Instrumentation San Diego, CA, USA 27 June-2 July 2010. Published in: Atad-Ettedgui, E. and Lemke, D. eds. Modern Technologies in Space- and Ground-based Telescopes and Instrumentation (Proceedings Volume): 27 June 2010, San Diego, California, USA. Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 7739. Bellingham, WA: SPIE. , pp.773916. (10.1117/12.858022)
  • North, C. E. , Lowe, S. and Simpson, R. J. 2010. Herschel, Planck, and Chromoscope: interactive outreach activities in the UK. Presented at: Science education and outreach : forging a path to the future Milbrae, CA, USA 12-16 September 2009. Published in: Barnes, J. et al., Science Education and Outreach: Forging a Path to the Future. Astronomical Society of the Pacific conference series Vol. 431. San Francisco, CA: Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP). , pp.174-179.

2009

2008

  • Audley, M. D. et al., 2008. Microstrip-coupled TES bolometers for CLOVER. Presented at: 19th International Symposium on Space Terahertz Technology Groningen, The Netherlands 28-30 April 2008. Published in: Wild, W. ed. Proceedings of the 19th International Symposium on Space Terahertz Technology, Groningen, The Netherlands, April 28-30 2008. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Space Terahertz Technology International Symposium on Space Terahertz Technology. , pp.143-151.
  • Audley, M. D. et al., 2008. Performance of microstrip-coupled TES bolometers with finline transitions. Presented at: Millimeter and Submillimeter Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy IV Marseilles, France 26-28 June 2008. Published in: Duncan, W. D. et al., Millimeter and Submillimeter Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy IV (Proceedings Volume): 26-28 June 2008, Marseille, France. Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 7020. Bellingham, WA: SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering. , pp.M200. (10.1117/12.789076)
  • North, C. E. et al. 2008. Dielectric constant reduction using porous substrates in finline millimetre and submillimetre detectors. Presented at: Millimeter and Submillimeter Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy IV Marseille, France 26-28 June 2008. Published in: Duncan, W. D. et al., Millimeter and Submillimeter Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy IV (Proceedings Volume): 26-28 June 2008, Marseille, France. Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 7020. Bellingham, WA: SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering. , pp.G202. (10.1117/12.788479)
  • Piccirillo, L. et al., 2008. The CℓOVER experiment. Presented at: Millimeter and submillimeter detectors and instrumentation for astronomy IV Marseille, France 26-28 June 2008. Published in: Duncan, W. D. et al., Millimeter and submillimeter detectors and instrumentation for astronomy IV : 26-28 June 2008, Marseille, France. Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 7020. Bellingham, WA: SPIE. , pp.70201E. (10.1117/12.788927)
  • Yassin, G. et al., 2008. Waveguide-to-planar circuit transition for millimetre-wave detectors. Electronics letters 44 (14), pp.866-867. (10.1049/el:20081383)

2007

  • Audley, M. D. et al., 2007. Tests of finline-coupled TES bolometers for ClOVER. Presented at: Joint 32nd International Conference on Infrared and Millimeter Waves, 2007 and the 2007 15th International Conference on Terahertz Electronics. IRMMW-THz. Cardiff, UK 2-9 September 2007. Published in: Griffin, M. J. and Parker, T. eds. Joint 32nd International Conference on Infrared and Millimeter Waves, 2007 and the 2007 15th International Conference on Terahertz Electronics. IRMMW-THz.. Los Alamitos, CA: IEEE. , pp.180-181.

2006

  • Grimes, P. K. et al., 2006. Investigation of planar switches for large format CMB polarization instruments. Presented at: Millimeter and Submillimeter Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy III Orlando, FL, USA 29-31 May 2006. Published in: Zmuidzinas, S. et al., Millimeter and Submillimeter Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy III (Proceedings Volume): 29 May 2006, Orlando, FL, USA. Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 6275. Bellingham, WA: SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering. , pp.27525. (10.1117/12.671151)

Articles

Books

Conferences

  • Audley, M. D. et al., 2008. Microstrip-coupled TES bolometers for CLOVER. Presented at: 19th International Symposium on Space Terahertz Technology Groningen, The Netherlands 28-30 April 2008. Published in: Wild, W. ed. Proceedings of the 19th International Symposium on Space Terahertz Technology, Groningen, The Netherlands, April 28-30 2008. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Space Terahertz Technology International Symposium on Space Terahertz Technology. , pp.143-151.
  • Audley, M. D. et al., 2008. Performance of microstrip-coupled TES bolometers with finline transitions. Presented at: Millimeter and Submillimeter Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy IV Marseilles, France 26-28 June 2008. Published in: Duncan, W. D. et al., Millimeter and Submillimeter Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy IV (Proceedings Volume): 26-28 June 2008, Marseille, France. Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 7020. Bellingham, WA: SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering. , pp.M200. (10.1117/12.789076)
  • Audley, M. D. et al., 2007. Tests of finline-coupled TES bolometers for ClOVER. Presented at: Joint 32nd International Conference on Infrared and Millimeter Waves, 2007 and the 2007 15th International Conference on Terahertz Electronics. IRMMW-THz. Cardiff, UK 2-9 September 2007. Published in: Griffin, M. J. and Parker, T. eds. Joint 32nd International Conference on Infrared and Millimeter Waves, 2007 and the 2007 15th International Conference on Terahertz Electronics. IRMMW-THz.. Los Alamitos, CA: IEEE. , pp.180-181.
  • Grainger, W. F. et al. 2010. Thermal architecture for the Clover cryostats. Presented at: Modern Technologies in Space- and Ground-Based Telescopes and Instrumentation San Diego, CA, USA 27 June-2 July 2010. Published in: Atad-Ettedgui, E. and Lemke, D. eds. Modern Technologies in Space- and Ground-based Telescopes and Instrumentation (Proceedings Volume): 27 June 2010, San Diego, California, USA. Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 7739. Bellingham, WA: SPIE. , pp.773916. (10.1117/12.858022)
  • Grimes, P. K. et al., 2009. Clover - Measuring the cosmic microwave background B-mode polarization. Presented at: The 20th International Symposium on Space Terahertz Technology, Charlottesville, Virginia, 20-22 April 2009 Charlottesville, Virginia, USA 20-22 April. Published in: Bryerton, E. , Kerr, A. and Lichtenberger, A. eds. Proceedings of the 20th International Symposium on Space Terahertz Technology, Charlottesville, VA, USA, April 20-22 2009. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Space Terahertz Technology International Symposium on Space Terahertz Technology. , pp.97-106.
  • Grimes, P. K. et al., 2006. Investigation of planar switches for large format CMB polarization instruments. Presented at: Millimeter and Submillimeter Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy III Orlando, FL, USA 29-31 May 2006. Published in: Zmuidzinas, S. et al., Millimeter and Submillimeter Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy III (Proceedings Volume): 29 May 2006, Orlando, FL, USA. Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 6275. Bellingham, WA: SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering. , pp.27525. (10.1117/12.671151)
  • North, C. 2018. Gravitational interactions: communicating gravitational waves. Presented at: EWASS European Week of Astronomy and Space Science Liverpool, UK 3-6 April 2018. , pp.-.
  • North, C. and Lowe, S. 2018. Cosmos: The Infographic Book of Space. Presented at: European Week of Astronomy and Space Science Liverpool, UK 3-6 April 2018.
  • North, C. E. et al. 2008. Dielectric constant reduction using porous substrates in finline millimetre and submillimetre detectors. Presented at: Millimeter and Submillimeter Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy IV Marseille, France 26-28 June 2008. Published in: Duncan, W. D. et al., Millimeter and Submillimeter Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy IV (Proceedings Volume): 26-28 June 2008, Marseille, France. Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 7020. Bellingham, WA: SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering. , pp.G202. (10.1117/12.788479)
  • North, C. E. , Lowe, S. and Simpson, R. J. 2010. Herschel, Planck, and Chromoscope: interactive outreach activities in the UK. Presented at: Science education and outreach : forging a path to the future Milbrae, CA, USA 12-16 September 2009. Published in: Barnes, J. et al., Science Education and Outreach: Forging a Path to the Future. Astronomical Society of the Pacific conference series Vol. 431. San Francisco, CA: Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP). , pp.174-179.
  • Piccirillo, L. et al., 2008. The CℓOVER experiment. Presented at: Millimeter and submillimeter detectors and instrumentation for astronomy IV Marseille, France 26-28 June 2008. Published in: Duncan, W. D. et al., Millimeter and submillimeter detectors and instrumentation for astronomy IV : 26-28 June 2008, Marseille, France. Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 7020. Bellingham, WA: SPIE. , pp.70201E. (10.1117/12.788927)

Websites

Research

My scientific research focuses on data visualisation, primarily using astronomy data. I work with the Gravity Exploration Institute, through which I collaborate with the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA collaborations, and iGrav.

As well as scientific research, I have previously been heavily involved with outreach relating to the Herschel Space Observatory and the Planck Satellite.

I am a member of the team behind popular online astronomy websites such as Chromoscope, Design a Space Telescope, Multiwavelength Universe and the CMB Simulator.

I am the Academic Lead for the Physics Mentoring Project.

Read more about my outreach activities on my personal blog and the Cardiff Physics Outreach blog.

Teaching

  • Deputy Module Organiser: Mechanics and Matter
  • Deputy Module Organiser: Synoptic Astrophysics
  • BSc Project Supervisor: Bringing Astronomy into the Classroom
  • MSc Micro-project Supervisor

Biography

  • 2024: Reader, Director of UG Studies
  • 2023: Reader, Director of Recruitment and Admissions
  • 2018-2023: Senior Lecturer, Director of Recruitment and Admissions
  • 2016-present: Head of Public Engagement
  • 2016-2020: Ogden Science Lecturer, STFC Public Engagement Fellow
  • 2014-2016: Lecturer and Undergraduate Admissions Tutor, Cardiff University School of Physics and Astronomy
  • 2013-2016: Community Engagement Coordinator, Cardiff University School of Physics and Astronomy
  • 2008-2016: PDRA, Cardiff University School of Physics and Astronomy
  • 2007-2014: Astronomy Researcher and co-presenter, BBC Sky at Night
  • 2005-2008: DPhil, University of Oxford
  • 2001-2005: BA, MSci, University of Cambridge

Professional memberships

  • Institute of Physics

Committees and reviewing

  • 2021

Contact Details

Email [email protected]
Telephone +44 29208 70537
Campuses Queen's Buildings - West Building Extension, Room Room WX/2.06B, 5 The Parade, Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 3AA

Research themes

Specialisms

  • General relativity and gravitational waves
  • Astrophysics
  • Physics education
  • Public engagement
“Wobbling black hole” most extreme example ever detected

“Wobbling black hole” most extreme example ever detected

12 October 2022

Supporting Ukraine

Supporting Ukraine

10 October 2022

Mentoring for 240 physics GCSE pupils

Mentoring for 240 physics GCSE pupils

17 April 2019

External profiles