Professor Laura Harkness-Brennan

Education Background:

  • A-levels (Physics, Maths, English Literature), MPhys Physics, PhD Physics

I always chose subjects I enjoyed doing.  At A-level, choosing English literature gave me a nice balance in my day!  It was something different to do than my maths and physics.  However, as time went on in my A-levels I enjoyed physics more and more.

Who/What inspired you to study/work in STEM

My A-level teacher was brilliant.  I didn’t always enjoy physics, I found it difficult when I first studied it but after a few years I started to really enjoy it, and the rest is history.

I am a naturally curious person, I love watching science programmes, especially anything by David Attenborough.  I always wanted to be a scientist or engineer.

Current Job/Role:

I am a Professor in the Department of Physics. I am part of the nuclear physics group and my research ranges from studying the properties of nuclei to developing new technologies for radiation detection in healthcare. I interact a lot with students, either directly through teaching or through supervising research projects.  I also get to do my own research and sometimes this involves travelling to exotic places.  My most recent trip was to a nuclear structure physics experiment in Japan.

Previous Job/Role:

After my PhD, I spent a year as a postdoctoral researcher, and then moved to work for a radiation detector company.  I really enjoyed both of these but returned to academia to develop my own research proposals and teach the next generation of scientists.

What is interesting about what you do:

I really like interacting with lots of different people.  Some of my research involves me working with clinicians, engineers, environmental scientists and defence experts. I am currently trying to develop new methods to detect radiation, which can impact in science and society.

Interesting facts about you/your work:

  • I am developing new technology that will help discover new properties of exotic nuclei
  • One of my research projects could help improve radiotherapy plans in the future
  • I have a new project about to start, which will help to improve the design of nuclear reactors on submarines

Resources

Laura explains more in this short film "Why Physical Sciences"

 
Watch Laura as she gives a short talk on "Imaging the Invisble" at the LivWiSE Christmas Lecture 2015: