My public engagement ventures include frequent interviews with major media outlets, and teaching at the university and community college level.

Speaking

International outlets I have appeared in include the BBC, Al Jazeera, the Huffington Post, CBC Radio, CBC Television and CTV Television. Notable appearances include:

These are my most significant public speaking events:

  • CBC Radio (multiple stations): Why the first all-female spacewalk was reassigned to other astronauts. (March 26, 2019)
  • CBC Radio (multiple stations): How Apollo astronauts warmed portions of the moon. (June 11, 2018)
  • CBC Radio (multiple stations): How the Gaia spacecraft is changing our view of the universe. (May 9, 2018)
  • CBC Radio (multiple stations): A Chinese space station is entering Earth’s atmosphere. A discussion of the risks, and how to prevent future incidents like it. (March 29, 2018)
  • CBC Radio (multiple stations): The threat of space debris to satellites and other infrastructure. (Feb. 26, 2018)
  • KCBS Radio: Are the dark streaks on Martian craters flowing water, or just flowing sand? (Nov. 23, 2017)
  • Canadian Space Summit: Journalist panel giving advice on how to write space stories, and how to get them noticed. (Nov. 22, 2017)
  • CBC Radio (multiple stations)): The launch of the GOES-R satellite and how it will improve forecasts of space weather. (Nov. 18, 2016)
  • CBC Radio (multiple stations): Elon Musk’s plans for Mars colonization. (Sept. 23, 2016)
  • CBC Ottawa Morning: The launch of asteroid sample-return mission OSIRIS-REx (Sept. 8, 2016)
  • Al Jazeera: A SpaceX rocket explosion and what this means for the private company’s plans with NASA. (Sept. 1, 2016)
  • CBC Radio (multiple stations): Attempting to make contact with the Philae lander. (March 12, 2015)
  • HuffPost Live: Video appearance asking a question of astronaut Ron Garan. (Feb. 25, 2015)
  • Canadian University Press NASH 77 (Ottawa, Canada): Writing science journalism for all types of outlets. (Jan. 15, 2015)
  • HuffPost Live: Exploring Venus by airship. (Jan. 12, 2015)
  • Ontario Today (CBC Radio): Why the Philae mission matters. (Nov. 19, 2014)
  • World Have Your Say (BBC): The value that space tourism brings to society. (Nov. 3, 2014)
  • We See Thee Rise (Planetary Society, Toronto, Canada): Panel discussion on Canada’s future in space, featuring Bill Nye. (Oct. 7, 2014)
  • The Current (CBC Radio): Speaking with Chris Hadfield about Canada’s future in space. (Sept. 5, 2014)
  • DragonCon (Atlanta, Georgia): Top astronomical stories of the year (Aug. 29, 2014) and What if: Alien invasion (Sept. 1, 2014)
  • CBC Radio (8 stations): Russia’s involvement with the International Space Station. (May 16, 2014)
  • McGill Daily: Science journalism workshop on strategies for attracting audiences. (March 21, 2014).
  • Daily Mail: Experiment to prepare astronauts for the Red Planet. (Feb. 5, 2014)
  • CTV Ottawa: A Martian connection with Ottawa. (Jan. 23, 2014)
  • Reddit: AMA on a mock Mars mission in the Utah desert. (Jan. 23, 2014)
  • Geekosystem: Which is cooler, Mars or a simulated mission in Utah? (Jan. 14, 2014)
  • The Current (CBC Radio): Calling the Mars Desert Research Station home for two weeks. (Jan. 8, 2014)
  • CBC Ottawa: How a Mars simulation drew me to Utah. (Jan. 5, 2014)
  • Metro Canada: Living the Martian life in Utah. (Jan. 5, 2014)
  • Canadian Space Summit: Panel discussion on space and journalism. (Nov. 15, 2013)
  • Montreal Gazette: How Chris Hadfield’s social media work will continue after his mission. (May 13, 2013)
  • CBC Radio (multiple stations): What’s next for Chris Hadfield when he returns to Earth. (May 13, 2013)
  • CBC Radio (multiple stations): Why Chris Hadfield’s tweets from space are so popular. (April 25, 2013)
  • The Nature of Things (CBC TV): Chris Hadfield’s tweets from the International Space Station. (April 25, 2013)
  • Kansas Cosmosphere: How social media is used to promote space exploration. (April 17, 2013)
  • CBC Ottawa: The importance of the Mars Curiosity rover mission. (Aug. 9, 2012)
  • The Space Show: Why I did an M.Sc. in Space Studies. (May 22, 2011)
  • Canadian Science Writers’ Association: Using tweets to spread the word of space. (June 6, 2010)

Teaching

I am currently an instructor at Algonquin College who teaches students in IT and HVAC how to perform technical writing. I use my work experience as a freelance journalist to help students improve their writing and critical thinking skills and hopefully, inspire them to seek a fulfilling and rewarding career path. I use discussion and active learning for in-class and online courses. My educational training includes a teaching certificate from the University of Ottawa.

Courses taught:

  • Audience Research (CMN4166), University of Ottawa
  • Business Journalism (JOU1532), Algonquin College
  • Communications I (ENL1813), Algonquin College (computer engineering, IT, HVAC)
  • Communications II (ENL2003/ENL8830), Algonquin College (HVAC and aviation)
  • English II (022555 ENL), La Cité collégiale
  • English for Media (021754 ENL), La Cité collégiale
  • Fundamentals of Reporting (JOUR2201), Carleton University
  • History of Journalism (JOU1150), University of Ottawa
  • Scientific Communication for Public Policy (SCI4003), Algonquin College

Let’s work together