Armagh Observatory and Planetarium are delighted to welcome two new valued members to their team.

L-R Hanagh Winter and Niamh Jordan

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium (AOP) is pleased to announce the appointment of Hanagh Winter as Project Manager for the Northern Ireland STEM Ambassadors Programme, delivered by AOP as the regional partner for STEM Learning UK.

In this role, Hanagh will lead the strategic coordination of the Northern Ireland STEM Ambassador network; connecting educators, employers, and volunteers to support high-impact STEM engagement in schools and communities across the region.

Hanagh brings a rich and diverse background that spans teaching, scientific research, and business development. She began her career with a PGCE in Secondary Science and taught post-primary Biology, before moving into industry as a Clinical Immunoassay R&D Scientist at Randox Laboratories. She went on to complete a PhD at Queen’s University Belfast, where her research explored circadian rhythms in diabetic retinopathy.

During her PhD, Hanagh also served as Deputy Education Lead for Women in Vision UK, advocating for gender equity in Ophthalmology and Optometry education through outreach and support initiatives. Most recently, she worked as Business Development Manager for MediNect Ophtho, a life sciences spin-out from Queen’s University.

Her combination of classroom teaching, scientific expertise, and cross-sector stakeholder engagement makes her ideally placed to lead the STEM Ambassadors Programme in Northern Ireland by building inclusive pathways for young people into STEM and strengthening collaboration between education and industry. AOP welcomes Hanagh to the team and looks forward to her leadership in driving the programme’s future impact.

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium (AOP) is delighted to announce the appointment of Niamh Jordan as STEM Ambassador Administrative and Outreach Officer, supporting the delivery of the Northern Ireland STEM Ambassadors Programme, which AOP leads as the regional partner for STEM Learning UK.

In this role, Niamh coordinates the recruitment, development, and deployment of STEM Ambassadors across Northern Ireland, including volunteers who inspire young people, schools, and community groups to engage with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. She manages ambassador communications, supports outreach activities, and ensures the smooth and effective running of the programme.

Niamh brings a diverse background that spans science, archives, and digital engagement. Before joining AOP, she worked at University College Dublin as an archivist on the Richard Mulcahy Papers and the Irish Rugby Football Union Archives. A professionally qualified archivist, she holds a Master’s in Archives and Records Management from UCD, following a Joint Honours Degree in Ancient History and Archaeology and in the History of Art and Architecture from Trinity College Dublin. Her first degree in Food Science is what first sparked her enduring passion for research and learning.

AOP warmly welcomes Niamh to the team and looks forward to her contributions in advancing STEM outreach across Northern Ireland.