Dr Richard Parker

Richard Parker is an astrophysicist based at the University of Sheffield and since 2017 has held a Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin research fellowship, following previous post-doctoral research positions at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, and Liverpool John Moores University. His main research interests are in the fields of star and planet formation and he uses computer simulations to understand both the positive and detrimental effects of the birth environments of young stars on the subsequent formation and evolution of planetary systems. Richard is involved in widening participation in STEM subjects for pupils from underrepresented backgrounds in Sheffield and the surrounding areas. He sits on several committees within the University of Sheffield concerned with addressing the gender imbalance and lack of ethnic diversity amongst students studying STEM subjects at university.