Rachel Ward-Maxwell

For the past 20 years, Rachel Ward-Maxwell has worked as a science communicator
and program developer for a variety of organizations, appeared as a content expert on
over 100 television and radio broadcasts, and delivered countless tours of the sky – both
in-person and virtually – at observatories and planetariums, on-site and online star
parties, and sidewalk astronomy events.
Since obtaining her doctoral degree in astrophysics studying the formation of Sun-like
stars, she has worked at the Ontario Science Centre in the role of Researcher-
Programmer, Astronomy and Space Sciences. In this role, she has developed exhibits
and public programs, including planetarium shows and online content, to engage
audiences in informal science learning.
She has award-winning leadership and communication skills and has spoken on panels
at national and international museum industry conferences about the importance of
partnership, inclusion, and science storytelling. Her astronomy expertise and reputation
with the public as a leader in outreach and science communication has led to her role
serving as the 2 nd Vice President of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada –
Toronto Centre, a member of the Let’s Talk Science Alumni Council, and a past
member of the Advisory Committee for the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and
Astrophysics at the University of Toronto, as well as invitations to speak at various
organizations, including the David Dunlap Observatory and Adler Planetarium in
Chicago.