CV (PDF) - Physics & Astronomy - McMaster University

ROBERT COCKCROFT
Physics & Astronomy Dept., McMaster Uni., 1280 Main St. W., Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4L8, Canada
robertcockcroft@gmail.com | +1 905 525 9140 ext. 21237 | www.physics.mcmaster.ca/~cockcroft
HIGHLIGHTS OF QUALIFICATIONS
Excellent communication and presentation skills in astronomy 6 years of experience
Teaching experience in three countries in astronomy, physics and English 9 years of experience
Strong managerial and leadership skills in public outreach facilities 4 years of experience
Effectively and efficiently multitask research, teaching and outreach
EDUCATION
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOW, Astronomy, McMaster Uni.
2012--present
History of science research focussing on ancient Egyptian astronomy
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY, Astrophysics, McMaster Uni. 2008-2012
Research on the Local Group spiral galaxy, M33, and its globular clusters and stellar halo
First-year coursework, second-year comprehensive physics- and astronomy-based oral exam
“Education Principles and Practice of University Teaching” Graduate Course
MASTER OF SCIENCE, Astrophysics, McMaster Uni. 2006-2008
Comprised coursework and research on mass-metallicity relation in globular cluster systems
MASTER IN SCIENCE (1 ST CLASS HONS.), Astrophysics, UCL, London, UK 1999-2003
Extended (four-year) British undergraduate degree with a research project in the fourth year
OUTREACH AND TEACHING EXPERIENCE
SESSIONAL LECTURER, Physics and Astronomy Dept., McMaster Uni. 2013
1 st -year undergraduate, semester-long “Mechanics and Waves” course
Advanced student learning with problem-based i-Clicker questions during class
CONSULTANT, Integrated Science Program, McMaster Uni.
2011--present
3 rd -year undergraduate, semester-long astronomy research project
Facilitated student groups (6-7 per group) to discuss, focus and expand their projects
Improved content and presentation style with the students
MANAGER, McCallion Planetarium, McMaster Uni.
2008--present
Launched the refurbished planetarium in 2009 – which involved troubleshooting with the
new digital projector, training new and old presenters on the new system, and organizing the
official launch
Revitalized and publicized outreach programming with increased public interest and
attendance, resulting in the production of a weekly schedule, with an annual average of 300
shows (approx. 10,000 people) in 2009-2011
Initiated, organized and presented/conducted special event (planetarium shows and
observing event) for the Transit of Venus 2012, attracting ~500 people, and has developed
into a regular telescope observing night for the public

ROBERT COCKCROFT
Physics & Astronomy Dept., McMaster Uni., 1280 Main St. W., Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4L8, Canada
robertcockcroft@gmail.com | +1 905 525 9140 ext. 21237 | www.physics.mcmaster.ca/~cockcroft
OUTREACH AND TEACHING EXPERIENCE (CONTINUED)
Initiated and coordinated astronomy activities with a faculty member during the International
Year of Astronomy – including a series of “Ask an Astronomer for Free” planetarium shows
Annually train and coach presenters, improving both scientific content and presentation skills
Liaise with other southern Ontario outreach facilities and programs (e.g., Universities of
Western Ontario and Toronto, and the Ontario Science Centre)
Encourage volunteers to participate, resulting in the largest number of presenters in recent
history, enabling a wider variety of show topics and greater availability
Organize special planetarium events and shows throughout the year, increasing the profile for
the department and university both in academia and in the wider community
Maintain and update facility’s projector, dome, public website and private web-based calendar
Resolve unusual/irregular e-mail and phone enquiries forwarded from staff
PRESENTER, McCallion Planetarium, McMaster Uni.
2006--present
Research, design, develop and present engaging and informative shows
Regularly present complex information to non-specialists in layperson’s terms
Cater to various audiences, from couples up to 35 people at a time, all age ranges above 10
years old – including amateur astronomers and first-year astronomy undergraduates
Simultaneously operate the system (Digitarium Alpha 2) while presenting
COORDINATOR, 3D Theatre, Origins Institute, McMaster Uni. 2010--2012
Designed and produced a new outreach program and show for the Institute with the director
Identified issues and developed solutions, problem-solved with technicians for hardware and
software matters, for a successful launch within a year
Provide training and manage presenters in scientific programming and presentational skills
HEAD TEACHING ASSISTANT, Physics and Astronomy Dept., McMaster Uni. 2009--2012
2 nd -year, semester-long “Big Questions” undergraduate course
Annually train and manage fifteen Teaching Assistants who lead discussion tutorials on
topics at the forefront of scientific knowledge for class sizes exceeding 400 students
Provide guidance and consultation for Teaching Assistants
Assist the course instructor to manage the learning technology “Avenue2Learn”
PRESENTER, 3D Theatre, Origins Institute, McMaster Uni. 2006--2012
Present well-articulated scripted shows to audiences of up to 120 people
Engage audiences in lively discussions during Q&A period; attentive to all audience enquiries,
often extending program's allotted time
Confident, approachable, diplomatic and respectful when dealing with audiences
PUBLIC SPEAKER, (various locations in Hamilton)
2006--present
Provide general community access to current astronomy research at off-campus venues
Adapt quickly to the different venues and audiences

ROBERT COCKCROFT
Physics & Astronomy Dept., McMaster Uni., 1280 Main St. W., Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4L8, Canada
robertcockcroft@gmail.com | +1 905 525 9140 ext. 21237 | www.physics.mcmaster.ca/~cockcroft
OUTREACH AND TEACHING EXPERIENCE (CONTINUED)
TEACHING ASSISTANT, Physics and Astronomy Dept., McMaster Uni. 2006--2012
Including UNDERGRADUATE LECTURER SUBSTITUTE
Various courses
Tutor in one-on-one, small- and large-group settings
Contribute a breadth of knowledge beyond specific needs of a particular course
ASSISTANT ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHER, Nagato, Japan (Full-time) 2003-2005
Learnt how to adapt to, and live and work in a different culture and language
Taught school classes in age range of 6 to 15, and private adult classes
Obtained intermediate conversational level of Japanese (oral and written)
Also team-taught junior high school (ages 12-15) science classes
OBSERVATORY TEACHING ASSISSTANT, UCL, London, UK 2002-2003
REFERREED PUBLICATIONS
COCKCROFT, R; et. al “Unearthing Foundations of a Cosmic Cathedral: Searching the Stars for
M33's Halo”, 2012 MNRAS, in press
COCKCROFT, R; et. al “The M33 Globular Cluster System with PAndAS Data: the Last Outer Halo
Cluster?”, 2011 ApJ 730 112
McConnachie, A.W.; … COCKCROFT, R.; et. al “The Remnants of Galaxy Formation From a
Panoramic Survey of the Region Around M31” 2009 Nature 461, 66-69
COCKCROFT, R.; et. al “Further Definition of the Mass-Metallicity Relation in Globular Cluster
Systems Around Brightest Cluster Galaxies” 2009 The Astronomical Journal 138 758
OBSERVING EXPERIENCE AND SUCCESSFUL TELESCOPE PROPOSALS
SUBARU/SUPRIMECAM
McConnachie, A.W.; COCKCROFT, R.; et. al
“Galaxy interactions and the distorted stellar halo of M33”
Status: two half-nights awarded in November 2011
CFHT/WIRCAM
COCKCROFT, R.; Harris, W.E.; et. al
“M33: Galaxy substructure and evolutionary history through the globular cluster system”
Status: Two programs awarded covering the full 24 hours requested
CANADA-FRANCE-HAWAII TELESCOPE
Learned telescope queue production and execution (2 weeks)
Trained to take observations with MegaCam, WIRCam and ESPADONs instruments (2 weeks)
1.5hours of time awarded on WIRCam for galaxy clustering project

ROBERT COCKCROFT
Physics & Astronomy Dept., McMaster Uni., 1280 Main St. W., Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4L8, Canada
robertcockcroft@gmail.com | +1 905 525 9140 ext. 21237 | www.physics.mcmaster.ca/~cockcroft
CONTRIBUTED CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
Live, Interactive Planetarium Symposium (LIPS) Bremmerton, Washington 2011
Notre Dame, Indiana 2012
LIPS, begun in 2011, is the first conference of its kind, specifically targeted to planetariums – like
McMaster’s McCallion Planetarium – that offer live and interactive programs. I have participated
at both LIPS, giving an overview of our planetarium program, networking with other planetarians,
gaining insights as to how other planetariums operate, and collecting ideas both for individual
shows and for the overall programming of outreach at the McCallion.
Pan-Andromeda Archaeological Survey (PAndAS) Annual Group Meeting 2008-2011
Canadian Astronomical Society (CASCA) Annual Meeting 2007-2011
SCHOLARSHIPS / GRANTS / PRIZES
Dean of Graduate Studies’ Award for Excellence in Communicating Graduate Research 2011
Dean of Science’s Award in Recognition of Public Outreach 2011
Cambridge University’s Institute of Astronomy, visitor research grant 2010
Edinburgh University’s Institute for Astronomy, visitor research grant 2010
Graduate Student Association travel grant 2010
Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, student training grant 2008
Canadian Astronomical Society (CASCA) travel grant 2008, 2011
McMaster Physics and Astronomy symposium day (talk prize-winner) 2007
PROFESSIONAL AFFILATIONS
Canadian Astronomical Society (CASCA)
2006--present
VOLUNTEER / COMMITTEE WORK
CASCA Representative for McMaster Uni. 2008-2012
Departmental Graduate Representative, Physics and Astronomy Dept., McMaster Uni. 2007-2008
Liaison Committee Member, Physics and Astronomy Dept., McMaster Uni. 2006-2012
UNSOLICITED FEEDBACK FROM THE PUBLIC
Hi Rob, Thank you for putting on such a great show at the Planetarium for the birthday party on
Saturday ! The kids and parents loved it ! The kids who attended your presentation all spoke about it
at school today. It is amazing what they remembered. They were saying that when they attend
McMaster UNIVERSITY, note their emphasis, that they hope to have professors like "Cool ROB,
who even works on Saturdays." For the three of us at your presentation who are graduates of
McMaster, it was nice to be back on campus and we especially were impressed with your
presentation.

ROBERT COCKCROFT
Physics & Astronomy Dept., McMaster Uni., 1280 Main St. W., Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4L8, Canada
robertcockcroft@gmail.com | +1 905 525 9140 ext. 21237 | www.physics.mcmaster.ca/~cockcroft
UNSOLICITED FEEDBACK FROM THE PUBLIC (CONTINUED)
Hi Rob, Thanks again for such an excellent presentation! People enjoyed the planetarium and your
ability to explain the very complex subject matter in a very understandable fashion.
Greetings, I was at last night's 7:45 PM show and it was great. Excellent job by the presenter. I
dragged my father along since he couldn't comprehend something as a black hole and he is now a
believer :) The concern I have however is now upon looking at the up-coming shows, they are all
booked up. Is that the real scenario or do seats become available close to the date? I would really like
to see all shows in this series, perhaps other people would also and have already reserved the seats.
All the shows with the British presenter are great. He really knows his stuff, his accent adds volumes
to the presentation and he can navigate the equipment really well. Also very enthusiastic engagement
with the audience.
Dear Planetarium Staff, I've had the privilege to see various shows over the years at McMaster from
1992 to 2009, frequenting back as MAC Science Alumni. I believe the last physics related show I
came to was Our Sun: What a star! 3D movie back in May 2007, really wonderful! This year was by
far the best show I've been to to date; particularly so the quality of the presenter. This gentleman
answered all the audience questions with a breadth of knowledge in layman's terms and adequately
left out the complicating parts so as to not confuse us all even more. I can't wait for the next show,
but alas I've checked your site and your sold out. Please try to offer more shows during the year. It
would be greatly appreciated. Once again thank you for all the invigorating planetarium shows over
the years!
My boyfriend and I, who are both McMaster undergrad students, came to see the planetarium for the
first time and we were totally blown away! It was so much more than we expected! The technology
was brilliant and really made it seem as if the ceiling was the night sky. The presentation on the
constellations and black holes was amazing, informative and fun. By the end of the show, we were
even wondering if we could get season passes! We will definitely be coming again many times in the
future.