Profile
I am a Royal Society University Research Fellow and Proleptic Reader in Theoretical Cosmology. I am the Director of Teaching and Learning (DTL) for the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and the Deputy Director of Education for the School of Physical and Chemical Sciences.
After receiving an MSci from Cambridge (2003) and a PhD from the Astronomy Unit at Queen Mary (2006), I held postdoctoral positions at DAMTP Cambridge, the Theory Group Imperial, and back at Queen Mary, before being awarded a Royal Society University Research Fellowship and Proleptic Lectureship here in 2014.
My area of research is focused on theoretical aspects of cosmology and related areas. More information can be found on the research and publication tabs. I also have extensive experience of teaching, outreach, and public engagement work.
External to Queen Mary, I have been a member of various national grant panels and am currently chair the theory sub-panel of the STFC Astronomy Grants Panel.
Teaching
Teaching at QMUL
Currently I teach Electric and Magnetic fields SPA4210.
I also supervise BSc, MSci, and astrophysics MSc students for their research projects, and I regularly work with and supervise PhD students.
Research
Research Interests:
See David Mulryne’s research profile pages including details of research interests, publications, and live grants.
Research team
Currently I work with and line manage two postdoctoral researchers at QMUL. Dr Laura Iacconi and Dr Luis Padilla.
And supervise PhD students Mr Ethan Milligan and Mr Andrea Costantini.
Supervision
I supervise PhD students in the area of early universe cosmology and related areas of theoretical physics.
Current students as lead supervisor: Mr Ethan Milligan, Mr Andrea Costantini.
Former students (as lead or co-lead supervisor): Dr Matthew Davies (2025), Dr Pedro Fernandes (2022), Dr Zac Kenton (2018), Dr Shailee Imrith (2019), Dr John Ronayne (2019).
PhD project summary for prospective students: Early universe physics.
Public Engagement
Outreach and engagement with society
I enjoy outreach work a lot and regularly lecture to visiting students at Queen Mary, and visit schools myself to give talks. I take part in various other outreach activities and am the astronomy unit outreach coordinator. If you are interested in me or another member of the Unit delivering an activity please get in touch.
Talks I have available include various versions of an introduction to cosmology, and an introduction to cosmic inflation -- you can see one version delivered at the Royal Institution at this link; "How Big is the Universe?" aimed at a younger audience; "Ping Ping Particle Physics” aimed at students studying GCSE or A-level physics, which includes a demonstration of a particle accelerator using a Van Der Graaf generator, a ping pong ball, and my saucepan lid.
Recently I’ve led the purchase of a 5 metre Planetarium for teaching and outreach work. Much of the content we use is generously provided for free by the British Fulldome Institute.
