Dr Johanna Jarvis

Astrophysicist, Dr Jo Jarvis has a job title that barely fits on her business card; in essence she is a public engagement officer working with the School of Physical Sciences (SPS) and she is passionate about what she does. 

Her fascination with astronomy began at the age of six and by the age of 16 she was Editor of the Bedford Astronomical Society newsletter.  She went on to run her own company Astronomy Tuition which was dedicated to providing education for everyone from nurseries to Adult Education.

Jo came into the OU over 6 years ago working as an Associate Lecturer (AL) on 3 different modules and she remains a topic specialist on one module today. 

Jo’s role is full and varied but at the heart of all she does is the idea that as the Open University we should be opening up fascinating and sometimes complex subject areas and the associated opportunities for the benefit of all.   Jo’s enthusiasm for promoting her subject and the OU are clear and she has an energy that drives everything she does.

Jo says, “if someone is engaged by seeing some physics-related research at an event or fascinated by what our telescopes can do then we need to build on that to help them realise that it could be more than a passing interest.  We need them to know that the OU could support them in studying the subject in more depth and that the OU is truly open to all”.

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