Dr Megan Argo, astrophysicist and senior lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), has been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
During the 2021 pandemic, Dr Megan helped more than 1,200 Girlguides earn their Space Interest Badge, and it is for this epic volunteering effort that she has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM).
As part of a team of UCLan experts, including colleagues from the University’s Jeremiah Horrocks Institute (JHI) for Mathematics, Physics and Astronomy, Megan made virtual visits to Rainbow, Brownie, Guide and Ranger units all over the country. Together they delivered a total of 60 planetarium shows, speaking to girls around the UK, including 13 Guide units, and even a few Girl Scouts in California.
Since 2016, Dr Megan Argo has worked at UCLan as a senior lecturer, and studies galaxies, supernovae and black holes at high resolution using large networks of radio telescopes. As a well regarded member of the science community, she is often taking part in public lectures, and is often seen on the news discussing space developments.
Dr Megan is also a member of the Girlguiding Association, and speaking on the matter, she said:
“I’m humbled to have been honoured for my volunteering work with Girlguiding, helping Brownies to earn their space interest badges during the pandemic. Girlguiding is an organisation that provided me with many amazing opportunities when I was younger, making some life-long friends along the way. I love being able to pay some of that back, and I hope the young people I speak to get as much from their involvement with Girlguiding as I did.”
Megan will be awarded the BEM later this year by a Lord-Lieutenant and will also be invited to a celebratory garden party at Buckingham Palace.
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