A day in the life of an Oxford Astrophysicist in LOCKDOWN

****Stay home. Save lives**** Like many people in the world right now I am in lockdown in the UK, working from home. But as an astrophysicist, well... the Universe doesn’t stop and neither does science. However, astronomy and astrophysics have been affected somewhat by the pandemic, so hopefully, this video will shed some light on that for you all!

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Music is "Future Girl" by RKVC from the YouTube Music Library

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👩🏽‍💻 Dr Becky Smethurst is an astrophysicist researching galaxies and supermassive black holes at Christ Church at the University of Oxford.

[DrBecky]

Just preempting some questions/comments I know I’ll get. I am incredibly lucky to still be able to work from home and I know there’s many people who are struggling right now. Just wanted to give some insight into how science has been affected for those interested.
1) *Why aren’t you, as a scientist, helping out with COVID-19 research?* Because I’m not an infectious disease expert. If I applied my stats and modelling skills to a situation where I don’t have the background knowledge I would cause more harm than good. I’d be in the way. I’m leaving this to the experts.
2) *Why are we funding astrophysics research when we should be funding vaccine research?* A lot of science funding is sorted out months or even years in advance. All science contributes to the advancement of society - whether image analysis techniques, data transfer or pushing forward technology. It’ll all circle back in the end.
3) Sam and I have been together since high school
4) I know my home desk set up is terrible. I’m working on getting a new chair, monitor, keyboard and mouse through the university. But obviously everyone is in the same boat so it’s a bit slow going! I don’t want to buy it myself upfront and then find they can’t reimburse me for something

[pierremarcotte]

You are an inspiration for young people to get into STEM fields. You are brilliant and charming and you speak about your "boring" routine with passion. Thank you for all you do in the name of science. There should be an award in your name given to young kids who choose a path in astronomy.
Take care!

[dolphinwhale]

I have not done this much of work in my whole life

[RichardLyleEsq]

"Can't bloody see!" Northern Dr Becky is the best Dr Becky.

[TheBurgundyAngel]

i can't believe i stumbled on this video as an undergraduate astrophysicist student and never realised this is the content i wanted and needed ! also shocked me to see my lancaster lecturer in the middle of this video !! thank-you so much for giving this insight into your life and inspiring me to keep working and looking at a future in this field !! x

[jashyjancaestoque]

You're such an inspiration! I also want to be an astrophysicist! Or maybe an exoplanet researcher or planetary scientist.. I'm not certain since I'm still a sophomore in highschool, but I know to myself that I love Astronomy ♡ Btw, you're so VERY productive! Like how could you have so much time in a day! Wish I could manage my time well like yours.

[I.amthatrealJuan]

I have contributed in Galaxy Zoo. Yaay, I'm happy I see those efforts helping people like you.

[BonoLightier]

I admire this girl so much. It's so refreshing to see someone work with such passion and determination. It really shines a light on my own life. I have a college degree that I don't even like, I work for a company that I truly loathe and the pandemic has not really helped the job market. But it's nice to see someone out there that got life figured out

[chrisswan]

I love how passionate you get. Always make me smile. Thank you Dr. Becky

[BonoLightier]

So, this girl is a scientist, knows how to code, has editing skills, is a creative cook and knows how to fix things around the house. I'm so impressed right now

[AlumarsX]

You're so productive haha. I'd be starting my day at 10 and ending it at 4. Please don't stop publishing these videos though. They provide such a good insight towards this world we don't really have access to after leaving college.

Although I bet editing Becky is looking forward towards retirement!

[condorboss]

" _Proposed Study of Black Holes Belching_ ". That would definitely get the Daily Mail's attention.

[giulia]

So glad I found this channel! I'm an Italian astronomy major (hopefully soon-to-be astrophysics major), and I really needed this kind of insight into the life of an actual astrophysicist. Can't wait to start working on some really cool science like you do!

[calamitymike]

Awesome videos. I’m in IT and watched your videos in the background while working. It’s a very entertaining way of letting those of us who aren’t in your field know what’s going on at the forefront without overloading on the details.
Let editing Becky know her struggles are appreciated :)

[lietpi]

Watching this just makes me "wow". And you get a lot of stuff done in little time! I definitely need that.

[ronjones]

What a great insight into the real world of how science is done. Great video!!!

[sofiesieling]

I really admire your devotion to science. I'd really love to study Astrophysics at university but I didn't take the right courses while at school, and I have always struggled with Mathematics.

[itsklein]

Honestly, I was so freaked out about what to do (my career choice is astrophysics but I got a little intimidated with the amount of stuff you have to get through) but I'm so glad I discovered this channel, thank you so much Dr. Becky!

[duderoony]

I don’t understand how, being that you’re very ‘normal’, you can carry out and understand all that technical stuff that you do. Amazing! Keep it up Becks. 😊

[chelsichica]

I’m a janitor, a day in my life would be me mopping and the excitement would be changing my gloves and masks