Profile
David O'Farrell
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About Me:
Hi, I’m David! I live in rural Northumberland with my wife and 8-week old baby, Joey! I enjoy going on exploring walks/runs/bike rides, playing my trumpet and piano, and a pub dinner!
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At the weekends, we love going out walking in the Cheviot hills, along the Northumberland coastline, or to our favourite National Trust place, Cragside! Most of our walks involve stopping off for a hot chocolate and more at a nearby cafe. I enjoy watching football on TV (I support Newcastle Utd!).
On weekday evenings, I play my trumpet or piano in some local big bands and orchestras. I like playing, film music, musicals and jazz. I also give piano lessons and tutor students to help them with their science GCSEs and A-Levels.
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My pronouns are:
He/him
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My Work:
I work at the Life Centre delivering workshops to school groups of all ages covering anything from space to forensics. Before that, I was a science teacher for 3 years at schools in Newcastle and Morpeth. Before that, I worked in a lab making chemicals that emit light for use in medicine and phone/TV screens, as part of my PhD research at Durham University.
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The workshops that I deliver at the Centre for Life cover a range of science topics including space, DNA, forensics and light. I started working here only 3 months ago, so I am still learning and being trained up on the full range of workshops that the Centre offers. I’m hoping to learn how our planetarium works so that I can deliver more workshops about space.
During my lab research, I made light-emitting chemicals for use in phone screens. These chemicals contained the rare and expensive metals, platinum and iridium. It was cool to see the chemicals I made glow under UV light. I could change the colour of light they produced by just changing the chemical structure slightly. These chemicals are known as organic LEDs. They use less energy than normal LEDs which means that if your phone battery would last longer before needing to be recharged! I didn’t discover anything ground-breaking, but I published my findings for future scientists like yourself to learn from!
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Education:
I grew up in Staffordshire (in the Midlands). I went to Thomas Alleyne’s High School before studying Natural Sciences at Durham University. I stayed in Durham to complete 4 more years of research in Chemistry as part of my PhD. I then trained to become a teacher at King Edward VI High School (in Morpeth), before teaching at Dame Allan’s Senior School (in Fenham) for 2 years. I’ve been working at the Centre for Life since mid-October last year.
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Qualifications:
GCSEs – 11 x A*s (A* is equivalent to grade 8/9 nowadays). I chose Geography, Spanish and French as my options.
A Levels – 4 x A*s in Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Maths. 2 x A in French and Music
Natural Sciences undergraduate degree – 1st class
Chemistry Ph.D – Pass
PGCE in secondary science – Pass
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Work History:
I have had a varied career since graduating from university.
From 2015-2020, I completed my PhD. Whilst completing research, I volunteered to help deliver STEM-related activities to school groups. This made me want to go into teaching.
From 2020-2023, I trained to become a science teacher and taught for 2 years. I really enjoyed it, especially seeing my classes make progress and do well in their exams.
From 2023-2024, I worked for Cognito Education creating online revision resources for students completing maths and science GCSEs and A-Levels. I worked from home every day which was great!
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Current Job:
I work at the Centre for Life as an explainer. I mainly deliver workshops to school groups of all year groups from year 3 to year 13. The workshops cover a broad range of science topics including space, forensics, light and DNA. I also take our mobile planetarium out to schools and take students on a mission to the moon!
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Employer:
International Centre for Life
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
science-enthusiast, musician, explorer
What did you want to be after you left school?
a scientist
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
I would probably work for an energy and/or sustainability company
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Coldplay
What's your favourite food?
Steak and ale pie and chips, followed by chocolate brownie and ice cream.
Tell us a joke.
I would tell you a joke, but all of the good ones Argon!
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