Hi there!
My name's Emily, which I suppose you know if you've found this site. I'm an astrophysicist, specialising in stars. I use a technique called asteroseismology, which involves the study of the way stars pulsate.
Science Communication
Astrophysics gives us a deep insight into how the universe works in all its beauty and complexity. This has made studying astrophysics personally fulfilling for me, but it can also be a very useful pursuit beyond this. Astrophysicists rely on a good understanding of statistics and computational tools. Therefore outreach is important in two ways; 1. It allows us to give non-astrophysicists a detailed insight into the universe, and 2. it enables us to teach skills that are useful for a wide range of applications outside of space science.
Statistics: Why should you care?
The second part of my job involves statistical methods, which includes machine learning. Statistics is the language through which we understand data and what it means. A working understanding of stats is important outside of scientific labs. The fundamentals of statistics can help you see the truth behind flashy headlines, make better choices with your money and understand the world around you.