I live a pretty diverse life! Here’s some of the highlights of my life, career and hobbies:
Energy consultant
I work as an analyst for the fantastic company ROAM Consulting. I provide businesses and government advice on energy with a focus on renewable energy and responding to climate change. I’ve explored issues such as the true cost of renewable energy, modelling of projects in Australia’s Solar Flagships program and exploring Australia’s future energy mix.
I’m particularly interested how market incentives can be designed to achieve desired outcomes (e.g., reducing emissions through an emissions trading scheme, a carbon tax, a renewable energy target, etc) and how our electricity market will evolve as more cheap-to-run but expensive-to-build renewables are built. At ROAM, we answer these questions through state of the art modelling, detailed critical analysis and a heck of a lot of computing power.
Science communicator
Since 2004, I have been heavily involved in science communication. With colleague Jenny Riesz, I founded the UQ Physics Demo Troupe, a group of performers who travel Australia doing science shows and workshops with schools and the general public. Personally, I have visited over 100 schools from Brisbane to Alice Springs to the Torres Strait Islands.
I have presented a number of public lectures on topics ranging from journeying into a black hole to how to cook the perfect steak in a rice cooker (trust me!). I am regularly invited to speak to teachers (both primary and secondary) about communication and to provide tips for their classrooms, and for the past three years I have been a guest lecturer at the AINSE Winter School on nuclear science.
I have an honorary position at the University of Queensland, and I am one of the organisers of BrisScience, a series of free public lectures on cutting edge science held in Brisbane.
MC and guest speaker
In addition to my science communication, I often MC, chair or host other events. In the past, this has included chairing panel discussions for the Brisbane Writers Festival, acting as an advisor and chair for the Brisbane IDEAS Festival, compering the Seniors Helpline Jazz and Swing Night and, of course, weddings and birthday parties.
My extensive speaking experience is backed up by a history of acting, improvisational theatre, stand-up comedy and working as a magician. For special events, I can (and have) also include magic, custom comedy songs or parodies, and circus based performances.
Scientist
I have a PhD in physics from the University of Queensland where I worked on developing models for biological systems such as vision in the eye and photosynthesis in plants. The aim was to produce “minimal” models that were simple enough to do quick analysis with, but complex enough to capture the important physics.
Although I no longer work in this field, I learned invaluable skills including problem solving, analytical thinking and how to communicate with diverse groups of people who aren’t experts in my area. Combined with honing my knowledge of fundamental mathematics and physics, my PhD has proved valuable in more ways than one.