Research
As a member of the Solar Physics and Space Plasma Research Centre at the University of Sheffield, I currently research in solar magnetohydrodynamic waves under the supervision of Prof. Robertus von Fáy-Siebenbürgen. I have also completed research in meterology, photovoltaics, animal ethics, and wild animal welfare.






Solar magnetohydrodynamic waves
Waves are a ubiquitous phenomenon in the Sun's atmosphere.
Magnetohydrodynmics (MHD) is the mathematical study of the motion of electrically conducting fluids and provides an appropriate framework to study many solar structures.
My interest in solar MHD waves stems from:
- their potential for large scale energy transport from the cool solar surface to the extremely hot atmosphere, and
- their use in magneto-seismology: estimating parameters such as the magnetic field strength which are difficult or impossible to measure using traditional methods.
Here are some of my animations of MHD waves:
The red lines illustrate the magnetic field lines that are contained within the waveguide. ~100 more can be found here.
Publications
Research
- Allcock, M., Shukhobodskaia, D., Zsamberger, N. K., and Erdélyi, R., 2019. Magnetohydrodynamic waves in multi-layered asymmetric waveguides: solar magneto-seismology theory and application, Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences, 6:48.
- Allcock, M., and Erdélyi, R., 2018. Solar Magnetoseismology with Magnetoacoustic Surface Waves in Asymmetric Magnetic Slab Waveguides, The Astrophysical Journal, 855(2):90.
- Zsámberger, N. K., Allcock, M., and Erdélyi, R., 2018. Magneto-acoustic Waves in a Magnetic Slab Embedded in an Asymmetric Magnetic Environment: The Effects of Asymmetry, The Astrophysical Journal, 853(2):136.
- Allcock, M., and Erdélyi, R., 2017. Magnetohydrodynamic Waves in an Asymmetric Magnetic Slab, Solar Physics, 292:35.
- Allcock, M., and Ackerley, D., 2016. Representing the Australian Heat Low in a GCM Using Different Surface and Cloud Schemes, Advances in Meteorology, vol. 2016, Article ID 9702607.
Also see ResearchGate and OrcID.
Outreach
- Allcock, M., Erdélyi, R., 2018. A novel magneto-seismology technique for solar magnetic field diagnostics , UK Solar Physics Nugget.
- Allcock, M., 2017. 1,000,000 degrees with a chance of solar flares: a Pint of Science solar weather report, Mendeley Blog.
Conferences, workshops, and seminars
Highlights:
- Nervously presenting some results from my Masters research project at the National Astronomy Meeting in 2016.
- Illustrating at the European Solar Physics Meeting in 2017 how my theoretical work on asymmetric MHD waves can be used to approximate the strength of the magnetic field in structures in the solar atmosphere - something that is traditionally very difficult to do.
Below is a list of the conferences, workshops, and significant seminars I have attended and/or contributed to.
Date | Event | Venue | Contribution |
---|---|---|---|
1-4/07/19 | National Astronomy Meeting | Lancaster University | Poster |
6-10/05/19 | China Europe Solar Physics Meeting | Hvar, Croatia | Slides |
15/11/18 | European Solar Physics Online Seminar | University of Sheffield (live streamed) | Recorded talk |
3-7/09/18 | BUKS 2018: Waves and Instabilities in the Solar Atmosphere | La Laguna, Tenerife | Poster |
11-15/06/18 | EST Science Meeting | Giardini Naxos, Sicily | |
17/04/18 | Faculty of Science Showcase | University of Sheffield | Poster |
26-28/03/18 | UKMHD/BAMC 2018 | University of St. Andrews | Slides |
12/01/18 | RAS Specialist Discussion Meeting: Wave-based heating mechanisms in the solar atmosphere | RAS lecture theatre, Burlington House | |
10/11/17 | Solar Physics and Space Plasma Research Centre (SP2RC) seminar | University of Sheffield | Slides |
27/09/17 | Applied Mathematics Seminar | University of Sheffield | Slides |
4-8/09/17 | 15th European Solar Physics Meeting | Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary | Slides |
28-1/08/17 | STFC Advanced Summer School in Solar System Physics 2017 | University of Central Lancashire | Slides |
3-6/07/17 | National Astronomy Meeting 2017 | University of Hull | |
19-21/04/17 | UKMHD conference | Durham University | Slides |
16/02/17 | School of Mathematics and Statistics postgraduate student seminar | University of Sheffield | Slides |
4-9/09/2016 | STFC Advanced Summer School in Solar System Physics 2016 | University of Sheffield | |
28-2/09/2016 | STFC Introductory Course in Solar System Plasma Physics 2016 | University of St. Andrews | |
28/06/2016 | National Astronomy Meeting 2016 | University of Nottingham | Slides |
11-15/01/2016 | OpenAstronomy - Software Carpentry Workshop | University of Sheffield | |
11/12/2015 | Solar Physics and Space Plasma Research Centre (SP2RC) seminar | University of Sheffield | Slides |
17/02/2015 | Sheffield Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Showcase | University of Sheffield | Poster |
Public outreach
I've spoken to a public audience about science at Pint of Science and GreenMan Festival.
I have also appeared on camera as part of an outreach project about using mathematical modelling to combat the zombie apocalypse! Check it out:
Teaching
At the University of Sheffield, I am involved with teaching for the following undergraduate courses:
- MAS115 Mathematical Investigational Skills (Python, R, Latex, and html programming; mathematical writing) - assistant tutor and marker, Mar 2016 - present,
- MAS112 Vectors and Mechanics (Projectile motion; circular motion; mathematical models based on first and second order differential equations) - assistant tutor and marker, Sept - Dec 2017,
- MAS153/159 Mathematics for Chemistry (set theory; calculus; limits; differential equations, etc.) - assistant tutor and marker, Sept 2015 - Dec 2015.
I also tutor mathematics online. Check out my mathematics tutorial videos through Numerade.