Marilyn Head
Popular science, technology, health and education writer/editor for over ten years, specialising in astronomy and the physical sciences.
Local Availability: Wellington – will travel. (Especially to total solar eclipses!)
Media Experience
Print; Online
Biographical Note
Health and Science columnist for the NZ Listener, space and astronomy writer for the Dominion Post, reporter for ABC Science Online and contributor to a variety of national and overseas publications such as Sky and Telescope, Cosmos, ECOS, NZ Herald and Sunday Star Times and a range of educational publications for such organisations as Learning Media and Totika Publications.
Editor of Galaxy-Te Korurangi a children’s space science and astronomy quarterly and freelance writer for popular, scientific and educational publications in New Zealand and overseas, Marilyn is currently studying part-time for an MSc (Astronomy). She also has a strong background in the Arts, teaching English, History and Drama in Australia and New Zealand and home-schooled her 4 children.
Her writing draws strength from her dual Arts/Science background as well as from her experience communicating with people from widely varying ages and backgrounds. She enjoys profiling the work of New Zealand scientists and contributes recordings to the National Library’s Oral History Archives. She is currently researching the life of Roy Kerr, the NZ mathematician who solved Einstein’s field equation for rotating black holes. Marilyn’s passion for astronomy has involved her in establishing and coordinating Wellington Astronomical Society’s clubs for young people, restoring the Gifford Observatory and serving on the Council of the Royal Astronomical Society of NZ, in addition to making and owning a number of telescopes. She is a strong advocate for and promoter of Maori/indigenous starlore. Other interests include theatre, film and gardening.
In 2002 Marilyn was awarded the Carter Medal for her services to Astronomy Education, and in 2003 the RASNZ awarded her the Murray Geddes prize.Published Writings
Profile of Roy Kerr; Mathematician & Relativist, http://www.listener.co.nz/default,2629.sm
The New Scientist: Quentin Cooper http://www.listener.co.nz/issue/3385/features/3682/the_new_scientist.html;jsessionid=4AF626DE7B60C019CF2E8492C0250212
Profile of Gerry Gilmore, Prof Experimental Philosophy, Cambridge http://listener.co.nz/default,1310.sm
Profile of Psychiatrist Dr William Sheehan http://www.listener.co.nz/default,503.sm
Biotechnology: Sunday roast straight from the lab http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=5&ObjectID=10360690
‘Flu The fight Ahead http://listener.co.nz/default,2668.sm ONLINE: Evolution faster in the tropics http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s1625917.htm
Pie in the Sky: Bush's plan for NASA http://nzlistener.co.nz/default,1544.sm
Young ecominds http://downloads.publish.csiro.au/ecos/ecos_download.cfm?article_id=Ec128p4.pdf&issue_id=128&issue_year=2006
Food for thought – Folate fortification http://www.listener.co.nz/issue/3403/features/4420/food_for_thought.html;jsessionid=1A80C2BE8C4066DA22ED61F8E022D00C
The golden touch:Mining in Australia and NZ http://www.listener.co.nz/issue/3430/columnists/5424/the_golden_touch.html;jsessionid=39E58C9A9057621030CDEBCF3453E5C9
Contact Details
105 Owen Street, PO Box 16 155, Newtown, Wellington 6002, Aotearoa New Zealand
Ph 64 4 389 0882 Fax: 9388144 Mo: 021 740 423
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