When Open University graduate Ian Muirhead isn’t searching for moons and exoplanets, he’s inspiring the next generation of space scientists to reach for the stars. It’s a career he never dreamed possible when he left school at 15 without any qualifications. Over 20 years’ on and Ian tells us he couldn’t be happier making the move from Army to asteroids.
“There was no way in my mind that I was even going to college, never mind university,” Ian shares. “I didn’t have a home to live in, so I had to work to support myself. Education wasn’t in my mind. It just wasn’t a thing for people like me.”
At 19, Ian joined the Army as a Telecommunications Systems Operator serving The Royal Corps of Signals. He says, “When I was in that environment, working on military radio and satellite telecommunications networks, I started to develop and realise just what I could do.”
‘I’ve studied in some crazy places’
It was in the early 2000s that Ian first became familiar with The Open University and began his studies with a Certificate in Natural Sciences. After enjoying the course and feeling that a degree was finally within reach, he went on to study the physics pathway of the BSc (Hons) in Natural Sciences, all whilst still serving in the Army.
Ian says, “I’ve studied in some crazy places. In a hammock in the jungle. The British Embassy in Kabul. In the back of an armoured vehicle in the snow in Germany. That’s one thing about the OU, you really can study anywhere.”
But what really spurred Ian on, was being recognised and awarded The Paul Lidgett Memorial Prize for his work into the search for moons around exoplanets as part of his final degree project, which he was awarded a Distinction for and the highest grade achieved that year.
“Winning this award completely changed my mindset. Before it was often a case of just getting by. Instead of saying, ‘Am I the type of person that does this? Is this for me?’, I started to say, ‘Why not me? What else could I achieve?’”
‘I decided to do something I love’
This shift in mindset came at a crossroads in Ian’s life, leaving him with a big decision to make. Continue in the Army after over 20 years’ service? Or go after a new career?
He shares, “Even when I was a little kid, I was a space geek so I decided to do something I love for the rest of my life. I set myself two new goals; I wanted to work in the space industry and teach at the highest level possible.”
After graduating in his BSc (Hons) degree, Ian went on to complete his Postgraduate Certificate in Space Science of which he notes was, ‘the best academic course I’ve ever done’.
“The course was designed in conjunction with industry, so we did practical exercises using the Mars Rover lab in Milton Keynes for example, as well as touching on engineering, mission operations, geology, astrophysics. It was really inspiring and assured me this was the route I wanted to take.”
From then, Ian went on to study a full-time MSc degree in Astrophysics with a brick university and has even been accepted onto a PhD, which he’s set to begin in October.
Ian says, “My OU qualifications were so well-respected by traditional brick universities. People understand the commitment that you put in and I felt really prepared on what to expect because of my experience.”
‘I never thought I’d be where I am today’
Ian knew he’d enjoy teaching from previous experience within the military and in early 2021, landed his first tutor position with the OU’s School of Engineering and Innovation. He then went on to become Associate Lecturer in the School of Physical Sciences teaching the introductory physics module covering classical and quantum physics, astronomy, planetary science and cosmology.
He shares, “I’m now coming to the end of my first year as an Associate Lecturer and it’s been brilliant. I came to the OU with no education and I’m now supporting students who have been in exactly the same point. I never thought that I’d be in this position.”
One achievement that stands out in particular for Ian was setting up The OU Space Society, which now has over 600 members.
“I wanted to try and link people up with similar interests,” he says. “And so, we started engaging with the Faculty and having different researchers and lecturers give talks on anything and everything to do with space. Things like space law, space warfare, asteroids, multi-sensory astronomy for blind people.
“I was chair for about a year and in the National Student Space Conference in 2021, we won the award for the Best Space Society in the UK. It was a really proud moment.”
‘I’m evangelical about the OU’
Ian says he’s ‘evangelical’ about the OU and that he wouldn’t be where he is today if he didn’t enrol on the course more than twenty years ago. For current and future students, he understands that life can sometimes get in the way.
“I’ve had a few false starts during my time here but everybody understand that life happens. Rather than being defeated by it, I’d say communicate and engage with your tutors and peers. There’s always going to be some support and normally a way to get you through it.
“Understand that no matter where you’re coming from, the OU gives you the opportunity to succeed.”
