Rayf Shiell - Optical Physics Group, Trent University

Welcome !

Rayf Prof. Rayf Shiell,
Department of Physics & Astronomy,
Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive,
Peterborough, ON, K9L 0G2, Canada

T: 1-705-748-1011 x7023
Email: rayfshiell@trentu.ca
Directions to campus can be found here

(You may occasionally see my name spelled ‘Ralph’ – more information at the page here)

Hi, and welcome. My work is a mix of research and teaching, and each brings much joy from what Oscar Wilde termed ‘playing gracefully with ideas.’ Science helps us to understand and make useful predictions about nature, through curiosity, measurement, being open to different hypotheses, and weighing up observations. It has led to remarkable advances - from deep inside the human body to far beyond the solar system. Check out the tabs above to read about my interests and for some resources from courses I have taught.

skiingrowingIn my free time I head oudoors: hiking, coaching, and playing various sports of the season. Here's a chat I had with Clayton Law, Trent student and host of the Naturally Curious podcast, about time spent both in and out of the lab. Clayton asks great questions!

   
Research interests Teaching: Winter semester 2024
  • Science: ocular biomechanics
  • Education: integrated testlets, and more
  • My papers, and graduate student theses
  • PHYS 2610H: Introductory Quantum Physics
  • PHYS 2700H: Thermal Physics
  • ...and resources from other courses too
Miscellaneous  
  • Fun science links
  • Tips for studying physics
  • Pronunciation etc.