Martin Bourne
He/Him
I am gay and I am an astrophysicist.//
I’m a theoretical astrophysicist researching the physics of supermassive black holes in the context of multi-messenger astronomy, galaxy evolution and cosmology. My work focuses on developing numerical models of these enigmatic objects across a range of scales, from the event horizon to the cosmic web. As of September 2024, I am a UKRI Stephen Hawking Fellow and Senior Lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire.
My research career to date has been somewhat non-linear. Before my PhD, I trained as a physics teacher, and between postdocs, I worked as a software developer. These experiences have provided important and differing perspectives, helping me both as a researcher and a mentor. I strongly believe there is no “one size fits all” route into (or through) academia.
It took me time to fully feel like my authentic self as a queer scientist. Given this, I know that visibility and representation matter. Science thrives on diverse perspectives, and fostering a more inclusive research environment is something I care deeply about.
On Bluesky: @astromartin.bsky.social