{"id":18449,"date":"2022-01-27T13:52:00","date_gmt":"2022-01-27T05:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/?p=18449"},"modified":"2025-07-25T10:07:36","modified_gmt":"2025-07-25T02:07:36","slug":"abilities-collective-curtin-a-conversation-with-astronomer-and-associate-lecturer-dr-tim-galvin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/friends\/abilities-collective-curtin-a-conversation-with-astronomer-and-associate-lecturer-dr-tim-galvin\/","title":{"rendered":"Abilities Collective @ Curtin: A conversation with astronomer and Associate Lecturer Dr Tim Galvin"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Image: Dr Tim Galvin<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Author | Carmelle Wilkinson<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being legally blind means Dr Tim Galvin<\/a> from the Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy<\/a> may never be able to gaze through a telescope and admire the stars, but that hasn\u2019t stopped the 32-year-old from studying the wonders of the night sky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Helping to interpret vital data for the international project the Murchison Widefield Array<\/a>, Tim helps create stunning visuals of our Southern sky and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a member of the Abilities Collective @ Curtin, Tim joins a group of staff members with disabilities (and non-disabled members) who are helping to forge a brighter and more accessible future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a passion for astronomy, a sharp scientific mind and a healthy dose of determination, Tim is a shining example of how to realise your dreams despite considerable challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read his inspiring story below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hi Tim, how does someone who is visually impaired decide to <\/strong>pursue a career in astronomy?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For years I wanted to be a pilot. Like many young boys I was fascinated with aviation and for a long time that\u2019s all I could see myself doing. But in my late teens I realised that dream would never be fulfilled, and I had to have a serious rethink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As someone who has always been interested in computers the natural progression was to study Computer Science at university. After two years working in the field, I soon realised it wasn\u2019t for me, and this then led me to my real passion \u2013 astronomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For me, studying galaxies is a reminder of just how small we really are in this big wide universe. It gives us greater appreciation and understanding of where we are and what\u2019s around us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can you tell me a bit about your personal background and your journey with Curtin?<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Born and raised in Sydney, I moved to Perth about four years ago to take part in a post-doctoral position at CSIRO<\/a> before landing my current role at the Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy, where I\u2019ve now been for two years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To me I had a typical childhood, I grew up with my mum, dad, brother and sister and I was no different to my peers. It wasn\u2019t until I was about 4 or 5 years of age that my condition, known as Choroideremia, was diagnosed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With no symptoms and no expression of the condition, apart from some trouble seeing at night, it was picked up through a routine check-up at the ophthalmologist one day. The degenerative, inherited condition causes progressive vision loss over time, which has seen my eyesight deteriorate quite a bit over the years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was lucky enough to have my driver\u2019s licence for 2-3 years before my doctor said I had lost too much vision and would no longer be able to get behind the wheel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If I was to describe what I can see, I would say it\u2019s like looking through a very narrow tunnel \u2013 much like a toilet roll. I see light at the end of the tunnel but not the darkness around it. If I\u2019m centred on an object or text I can read it comfortably with my good eye, but it\u2019s very difficult to pick up motion and movement around me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When someone thinks of an astronomer, they may imagine them bent over their desk peering through a telescope, but that\u2019s not the case with me. I can wholeheartedly say I\u2019ve never been able to see through a telescope and I probably never will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luckily with radio astronomy I don\u2019t have to though, as I use radio telescopes to pick up radio waves which I then interpret using filter and algorithms to calculate images.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What challenges have you faced in your life? And how does living with a visual impairment affect your work at Curtin?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was heartbreaking for a long time, just things people wouldn\u2019t think twice about like tying your shoelaces was a challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moving to Perth on my own four years ago, without the support of my family was a huge adjustment. Finding my way around a new city and getting familiar with the layout of the local supermarket did take some time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While there are things that I still struggle with, such as crossing a busy street or trying to navigate a crowded caf\u00e9, for the most part being legally blind doesn\u2019t stop me from doing what I love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Working at Curtin, I don\u2019t find my visual impairment to be a disadvantage at all. Using supercomputers I\u2019m able to transform massive amounts of raw data into images of tens of thousands of galaxies, and that\u2019s an incredible experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a member of the Abilities Collective @ Curtin what are some of your goals?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a start, knowing I\u2019m a part of a group facing similar challenges is reassuring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starting at a new workplace is daunting for anyone, especially for someone with a disability, which is why the Abilities Collective @ Curtin is so important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group explores ways to support disability inclusion and access at Curtin, through building modifications, workplace adjustment and parking and accessibility around campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Changes to my office space after an initial assessment has greatly enhanced my day-to-day work life, and just small things such as adding a bright green strip to previously all-white poles at my building have allowed for greater visibility when walking around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s reassuring having a collective like this for likeminded people in similar positions to myself to network, share experiences and improve our working space so it is more inclusive and accessible to everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the day, we aren\u2019t identical in our circumstances, but we are all working towards a common goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just being aware there are staff and students who may have physical issues getting around a big Campus with multiple buildings, steps, and footpaths is a step in the right direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Together we can create change for the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you have any words of wisdom for someone who may feel they are limited by their physical or mental disability?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pursue something you love doing, even though there are difficulties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There will always be great people around you to support you and help you overcome those hurdles that appear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Abilities Collective @ Curtin is a group of Curtin University staff members with disabilities and allies who want to see positive change for people with disabilities studying and working at Curtin.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Author | Carmelle Wilkinson<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

___<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n \n\n

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