Summary
Research
Earth’s magnetic field acts a barrier to the solar wind, forming our magnetosphere with a bow shock upstream that slows and deflects the supersonic plasma around it. However, this is a highly dynamic and non-linear process with many complicated feedback mechanisms. These result in various transient phenomena which can have localised and even global impacts on the magnetosphere affecting the energetic particles in the radiation belts, electrical currents directed into and through the top of the atmosphere, auroral processes and launching a cacophony of different ultra-low frequency waves analogous to sound. These impacts can severely impact on our space- and ground-based technology and infrastructure, resulting in technological, economic and societal repercussions known as space weather. My research career has focused on many of these dynamical processes, investigating their origins, properties and consequences.
Engagement
I am also interested in how to undertake engaged research across various fields of physics, including new models of citizen science or collaborative research projects with schools/public, making scientific data more accessible through methods such as sonification, and evidencing who engages with physics, why, and how we can reach those outside of the scientific echo chamber.
Finally, I have a long history of working with media. I was previously a DJ on Kiss FM and now work with broadcast and online channels in presenting, writing, or consulting capacities.
Membership
I am Chair of the European Geosciences Union's Outreach Committee; Chair of the Angela Croome Award for Earth, space and planetary sciences journalism; Education and Outreach Session Programme Group Chair of the European Geosciences Union’s Programme Committee; and an alumni member of the Ogden Trust Outreach Officer programme.
Publications
Journals
Zhou Y-J, He F, Zhang X-X, et al., 2023, A radial standing Pc5-6 wave and its energy coupling with field line resonance within the dusk-sector magnetosphere, Jgr: Space Physics, Vol:128, ISSN:2169-9402
Collinson GA, Hietala H, Plaschke F, et al., 2023, Shocklets and short large amplitude magnetic structures (SLAMS) in the high mach foreshock of Venus, Geophysical Research Letters, Vol:50, ISSN:0094-8276
Archer M, Southwood D, Hartinger M, et al., 2023, Magnetosonic ULF waves with anomalous plasma - magnetic field correlations: standing waves and inhomogeneous plasmas, Geophysical Research Letters, Vol:50, ISSN:0094-8276, Pages:1-13
Grimmich N, Plaschke F, Archer MO, et al., 2023, Study of extreme magnetopause distortions under varying solar wind conditions, Jgr: Space Physics, Vol:128, ISSN:2169-9402, Pages:1-22