Peter Cottrell

Peter Cottrell is a former Head of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Canterbury and the University's Director on the SALT Foundation Board. Peter has been at Canterbury since 1982 following graduate study in Australia (Mount Stromlo & Siding Spring Observatories, Australian National University) and research positions in the United States of America (Caltech and The University of Texas at Austin). His research interests are in stellar astrophysics and stellar variability, using spectroscopic and photometric techniques.

He has been involved in various aspects of New Zealand and Australian astronomy, including a term as President of the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand, convener of the Royal Society of New Zealand's committee for his discipline, a board member of Carter Observatory and the only non-resident member of the Astronomical Society of Australia's Council. Apart from his astronomical involvement, Peter is an enthusiast for science education initiatives, which included early involvement in Christchurch's science centre, Science Alive!, and the nationwide science-technology roadshow.