Speaker profile

Summary

Solar physicist, space weather expert, and regular media contributor. STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellow at Northumbria University and guest lecturer on cruise ships. Talks on the Sun, solar storms, space weather, and our exploration of the solar system.

Full biography

Dr Steph Yardley is a solar physicist, space weather expert, and science communicator based at Northumbria University, where she holds an STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowship and Vice-Chancellor's Fellowship. Her research focuses on our nearest star, the Sun — in particular, understanding the origins of the solar wind, solar eruptions, solar energetic particles, and space weather. She works with data from cutting-edge space missions, including ESA's Solar Orbiter, and her research has been published in leading journals including Nature Astronomy and Science Advances. She was a finalist for the Global Space Awards in the science breakthrough category for her Solar Orbiter research.

Steph is passionate about sharing the wonders of the Sun and space with broad audiences. She is an experienced guest lecturer and resident astronomer on cruise ships, where she delivers talks and stargazing sessions to passengers of all ages and backgrounds. She has spoken at astronomy societies, science festivals including European AstroFest, and public events across the UK.

Her talk topics include the Sun and how it works, solar storms and space weather, the aurora, the solar system, and humanity's exploration of space. She is happy to tailor talks to suit the audience and occasion, from after-dinner talks and society meetings to school visits and festival stages. Her presentations are visual, accessible, and full of the latest imagery from space missions, making the science vivid and engaging for non-specialist audiences.

Steph is a regular media contributor, providing expert commentary on solar storms, space weather events, and major space missions. She has appeared on Sky News, Fox, and CNN discussing space weather and the Parker Solar Probe mission, featured on BBC podcasts, and provided radio commentary on the Artemis II mission. She is also involved in creative science outreach, including a collaborative science-art installation that turned the aurora into sound.

Affiliations