Speaker profile

Summary

I’m a PhD astrophysics researcher at the University of Leeds, studying how planetary systems form and evolve. Through astrophotography, science writing and broadcast media, I love making astronomy accessible and inspiring.

Full biography

I’m a PhD researcher in astrophysics at the University of Leeds, where I study the dusty discs around stars that provide important clues to how planetary systems form and evolve. These discs contain the raw materials from which planets emerge, offering a fascinating window into the processes that shape planetary systems, including our own.

Alongside my research, I’m passionate about science communication and public engagement. I love sharing the science behind the night sky and making astrophysics accessible, engaging and inspiring for audiences of all backgrounds. I want to help people connect with the science around them, ask questions about the Universe and discover just how exciting astronomy can be.

One way I share this enthusiasm is through my astrophotography Instagram page, where I use a telescope in La Palma to capture images of astronomical objects and share the science behind them. I also enjoy science writing and have been the Science Editor and published articles in The Gryphon, the University of Leeds’ student newspaper, and am a contributor to The Conversation, an independent news and analysis publication that brings academic research to wider audiences. I am also a member of Go Stargazing and provide public talks and stargazing sessions on board their cruises with Fred Olsen.

I have also taken my love for astronomy into broadcast media, appearing as a Science Correspondent on Channel 4’s Solar Eclipse Special and on BBC Radio Leeds’ Breakfast Show to discuss the lunar eclipse. These experiences have strengthened my passion for bringing astronomy to audiences beyond academia and finding new ways to make scientific ideas engaging and accessible.

I’m excited to bring my research background, curiosity and experience across science communication to speaking opportunities, helping people of all ages discover the wonders of the night sky. Whether through exploring how planets form, sharing the beauty of astronomical images or explaining the science behind celestial events, I hope to spark curiosity, inspire questions and give audiences a new perspective on our place in the Universe.

Stargazing sessions

Miss Zoe Parker can host stargazing sessions including guided tours of the night skies and observing using telescopes or binoculars.

Affiliations