Gerry McCormac facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Gerry McCormac
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| Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Stirling |
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| Assumed office 1 May 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Christine Hallett |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 August 1958 Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland |
| Spouse | Louise Gormley |
| Children | Three sons |
| Residences | Stirling, Scotland |
| Alma mater | Ulster Polytechnic (BSc, PhD) |
| Profession | Physicist, academic administrator |
| Salary | £295,000 (2021–22) |
| Website | https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/senior-officers-of-the-university/gerry-mccormac/ |
Sir Gerry McCormac, born on August 1, 1958, is a very important leader at the University of Stirling in Scotland. He is the Principal and Vice-Chancellor. This means he is like the head teacher of the whole university.
He is a scientist who studies physics. His special areas are space physics and carbon dating. Carbon dating is a way to find out how old ancient things are. Sir Gerry has also worked at Queen's University Belfast and helped with business in Northern Ireland.
Contents
Early Life and Inspiration
Gerry McCormac was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on August 1, 1958. He was the oldest of seven children. When he was in primary school, his teacher helped him become interested in science. This early spark led him to a career in scientific discovery.
A Career in Science
Sir Gerry studied Physics and Geology at Ulster Polytechnic. He earned his first degree in 1980 and then a PhD in Physics in 1984. After that, he went to the University of Michigan in the United States.
Space Research
At the University of Michigan, he worked on a NASA project called the Dynamics Explorer satellite program. He used special tools called Fabry–Pérot interferometers to study the Earth's atmosphere. He measured how fast winds moved and how hot it was high up in the sky. This helped scientists understand how the Earth's atmosphere connects with space.
Dating Ancient Discoveries
From 1990 to 2001, Sir Gerry worked at Queen's University Belfast. He led a special lab that used carbon dating. This method helps figure out the age of old objects and sites. He helped found centers for studying ancient sites and climate.
He carbon dated many famous and important places around the world. These included the ancient stone circle of Stonehenge in England and the Pazyryk burials in Siberia. He also dated Seahenge, an ancient timber circle, and the Dover Bronze Age Boat. His work helped historians and archaeologists understand the past better.
Leading Universities
In 1997, he became the head of the School of Archaeology and Palaeoecology. He became a Professor of Scientific Archaeology in 1998. From 2001 to 2010, he was a Pro Vice-Chancellor at Queen's University. This role meant he helped manage the university's plans and finances.
In 2010, Sir Gerry became the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Stirling. He has also helped the Scottish Government with education and worked to combine government departments in Northern Ireland. He is now a leader for universities across Scotland and the UK.
Honours and Recognition
In 2017, Sir Gerry McCormac was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. This is a big honour for scientists and thinkers in Scotland. In 2021, he was made a knight by the Queen. This was to recognise his important work in education and helping the economy.
Published Works
Sir Gerry McCormac has written many scientific papers and books. These works share his research and discoveries with other scientists. Some of his important publications include:
- "Anglo-Saxon Graves and Grave Goods of the 6th and 7th centuries AD: A Chronological Framework" (2013)
- "The Norfolk Bronze Age Timber Circle" (1999)
- "Science and Stonehenge: Dating Stonehenge" (1998)
- "Stonehenge in its Landscape" (1995)
