Erin Manson

My PhD research, titled 'Decolonising Astronomical Science: Cultural & Historical Geographies of the ‘Golden Age’ of Irish Astronomy and its Legacy, 1785-1978', is a collaborative doctoral award funded by the Northern Bridge Consortium DTP between Armagh Observatory and Planetarium and the Geography department of Queen's University Belfast. 

This research will excavate the historical, cultural, political and geopolitical contexts and legacies which impacted on or indeed were impacted by Ireland's three main historical astronomical institutions of Armagh, Birr Castle and Dunsink Observatories, from their inception in 18th Century Ascendancy Ireland to the modern day. 

Utilising archival collections, this project will add to emerging critical literature which seeks to challenge, destabilise and thus decolonise the broadly colonial/imperial heritage of astronomical sciences in the UK and Ireland. This research will analyse the geopolitical power/knowledge implications of Irish Astronomy and the colonialities which Irish science has perpetuated both in Ireland and beyond; particularly through the case study of the internationally collaborative Armagh-Dunsink-Harvard Telescope (ADH) at Boyden Observatory, Bloemfontein, South Africa in the mid 20th Century.

Education / Qualifications 

PhD Cultural Geography - Oct 2025 ->

MA Geopolitics, Distinction, Queen's University Belfast - 2023 -> 2024

BSc (Hons) Geography, First Class, Queen's University Belfast - 2020 -> 2023

Secretary, History of Science, Technology and Medicine (HSTM) Network of Ireland