Professional Experience and Positions
Attended DDA Meetings in 2004 (Cannes), 2006 (Halifax) and 2014 (Philadelphia)
Meeting Organisation Experience:
- LOC Chair of the International Meteor Conference (127 participants) held in Armagh, Northern Ireland, UK in 2010
- SOC Member of the annual European Planetary Science Congress since 2012
Candidate Statement
I chose the field of dynamical astronomy out of love for the discipline and because I was convinced of the importance of dynamics in astronomy research. In the 15 years that I have been a DDA member, I have time and again seen these beliefs vindicated. Dynamics have been key to every important breakthrough in astronomy (from dust to planetary systems to galaxy evolution, take your pick) and will no doubt continue to do so. But the machinery that makes all this happen requires constant maintenance in the form of new tools, new ideas and, most importantly, a steady flow of new practitioners.
It is easy to forget that, behind every new model and breakthrough, there are the "soft" aspects of scientific research: intra-community interaction so that all can benefit from new knowledge, the receiving of inspiration to excel in one’s profession and of inspiring others in turn. All this and more is facilitated by the infrastructure put in place by the DDA. If elected, I pledge to use the powers afforded by the Office to see that this delicate machinery is humming along as healthily as ever so that both the discipline and its practitioners attain the heights and the recognition they so richly deserve.