Professor Tim O’Brien Appointed JBCE Director
Posted 14 Oct, 2025
The University of Manchester has appointed Professor Tim O’Brien as the new Director of the Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement.
Tim, currently the Associate Director of the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics, replaces Professor Teresa Anderson, the founder of the Centre for Engagement.
Throughout his career, Tim has combined his research in Astronomy and Astrophysics with extensive teaching commitments and a wide range of public engagement activities, including regular media appearances and his work at Jodrell. This included co-founding the bluedot festival and celebrating its heritage with a major new gallery, part of the First Light project.
Tim also co-authored the nomination documents leading to Jodrell Bank Observatory being designated a World Heritage Site in 2019.
“I am delighted to take up this role at one of the most unique, truly amazing places in the world,” he said.
“Jodrell Bank is a site of both national and international importance, combining cutting-edge research, significant scientific heritage and cultural innovation. I am looking forward to working with the excellent team here to help convey our inspiring story to all our visitors.”
Jodrell Bank Observatory, which began in 1945, pioneered the science of radio astronomy which revealed the invisible universe. It remains at the forefront of astronomical research, operating e-MERLIN, the UK’s national radio telescope array, and hosting the international headquarters of the Square Kilometre Array Observatory.
The Centre for Engagement welcomes visitors to the site and connects them to its science, heritage, and culture. The Centre’s First Light Pavilion, opened in 2022, incorporates a spectacular exhibition and is a fitting partner to the immense Lovell Telescope, one of the largest telescopes in the world.
I am delighted to welcome Tim to this role. He has been part of Jodrell Bank, one of our most iconic cultural institutions, for many years and I know he will be a dedicated and talented Director who will do an amazing job of engaging people with its tremendous work.
I want to thank Teresa for her work and dedication to our iconic site – she has been the absolute driving force behind it since setting up the discovery centre in 2010, through to obtaining the UNESCO world heritage site status, bluedot, and the design, construction, and operations of the First Light Pavilion.
Professor Nalin Thakkar, Vice-President for Social Responsibility
Tim, who will have a partial secondment from the department to fulfil this major role, has been central to many of the developments at JBCE. It is excellent that we continue to have someone connected to the department in this leadership role, and someone who has shown such passion and commitment to one of our most well-loved cultural spaces.
Thanks, too, to Teresa for her truly inspiring work at JBCE.
Professor Chris Parkes, Head of Physics and Astronomy
image Professor Tim O’Brien
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