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Andrew Norton's OpenLearn Profile

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Andrew Norton

Biography

Andrew Norton is currently Qualification Lead for undergraduate Physics and Astronomy & Planetary Science in the School of Physical Sciences at the Open University, where he is a member of the Astronomy Research Group and Professor of Astrophysics Education. He is also STEM Media Fellow responsible for liaison between the Science Schools, OpenLearn and the OU Broadcasts & Partnerships team.

He has worked at the Open University since 1992 and has been Deputy Head of the School of Physical Sciences; Director of Research for the Physics and Astronomy Department; Curriculum Director for Astronomy and Planetary Science; Departmental Director of External Relations; Associate Programme Director for Physics and Astronomy & Planetary Science, as well as Postgraduate Tutor and Director of the OU's George Abell Observatory.

Andrew has been a member or chair of the presentation or production teams for many OU modules. At Level 1: S197 How the Universe Works; S103 Discovering Science; S104 Exploring Science; SM123 Physics and Space; SXR103 Practicing Science. At Level 2: ST291 Images & Information; S207 Discovering Physics; S217 Physics: from classical to quantum; S282/S284 Astronomy; SXR207 Physics by experiment; SXR208 Observing the Universe; SXPA288 Practical Science: Physics and Astronomy. At Level 3: S381 The Energetic Universe; S382 Astrophysics; S383 The Relativistic Universe; S384 Astrophysics of stars and exoplanets; SXP390 Science project course. At Masters Level: S818 Space Science; SXS810 Project module.

Andrew is a Fellow, former Council Member and former Vice President of the Royal Astronomical Society and has served on its Education & Outreach Committee as well as its Diversity Committee. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Physics and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

He has previously been the OU SEPNet Academic Outreach Officer and Coordinator and is also a Public Engagement Ambassador for the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement and a STEMNET Ambassador. In addition, he served on the STFC Advisory Panel for Public Engagement.

He has written a story book about Exoplanets for young children called "Oogle Flip and the Planet Adventure" and a popular science book "Understanding the Universe: the Physics of the Cosmos from Quasars to Quarks". He has an Erdos-Bacon-Sabbath number of 13.