This is a real passion of mine; I love discussing my research and interest in physics with the public. Here are just some examples of outreach activities I have been involved with recently:
CoffeeShop Astrophysics
This initiative started at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a group of graduate students and postdocs (including myself). We would hold informal lectures in a coffee shop in Milwaukee and discuss various aspects of astrophysics. Past lectures have included the big bang, black holes and exoplanets. We started in a side room of the coffee shop with ~15 people, and now the lecture series has gained much popularity, drawing in large crowds. Details of project can be found at the CoffeeShop Astrophysics website
An Astro Safari
This is a 50 minute interactive session which takes students through 3 themes of astrophysics – exoplanets and their detection, neutron stars and black holes, and the expanding universe. This session has been part of various GEMS (Girls in Engineering, Math and Science) and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) days (for instance at the UW-Waukesha) and benefits from moving small groups of students through these themes, with an expert, incorporating hands-on activities.
Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics
This is an annual conference taking place at 9 different universities, each which represent a region in the USA. Syracuse hosted one of the conferences in January 2016, where I hosted a workshop discussing topics of how to be a good role model, imposter syndrome and sexual harassment, took part in a panel session entitled ‘Practical Issues of Being a Woman in Physics’ and judged the poster session. I was also part of the local organising committee.
LIGO Magazine
I am an editor for the LIGO magazine and have contributed articles to the magazine since it started in 2012.