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Dr Vassilios McInnes SpathopoulosHi there! I am a Greek-Scot with a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Glasgow. I am also a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and frequently engage in science outreach events in the fascinating field of astronomy, at science festivals and schools. I am a published author of popular science and engineering books. I currently teach Engineering at Glasgow International College, as well as basic astronomy courses to curious adults through the Edinburgh Council Adult Education and Outlook programs. |
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Recent Awards
2024: Education & Outreach Small Grants Scheme, Royal Astronomical Society (UK)
2023: Public Engagement Grant Scheme, Institute of Physics (Scotland)
2022: Education & Outreach Small Grants Scheme, Royal Astronomical Society (UK)
2021: Public Engagement Grant Scheme, Institute of Physics (Scotland)
2020: Anthony Waterhouse Fellowship, Institute of Physics (UK)
2024: Education & Outreach Small Grants Scheme, Royal Astronomical Society (UK)
2023: Public Engagement Grant Scheme, Institute of Physics (Scotland)
2022: Education & Outreach Small Grants Scheme, Royal Astronomical Society (UK)
2021: Public Engagement Grant Scheme, Institute of Physics (Scotland)
2020: Anthony Waterhouse Fellowship, Institute of Physics (UK)
Here are a few things that have been said about my work:
"An amazing insight into the people of the times, and an excellent and thought-provoking lecture by Dr. Vassilios McInnes Spathopoulos" - the Orkney News website on the Antikythera Mechanism Outreach project
"A series of science and art events held in Unst and Lerwick at the end of March has been hailed as a success after drawing strong community interest and enthusiastic feedback" - the Shetland Times on Astronomy Outreach held in 2026
"A Greek amateur astronomer's burning enthusiasm brings the greatest surviving artefact of Hellenistic times (the Antikythera Mechanism) to the center stage of the International Science Festival held in the Scottish Orkney Islands" - to Vima, Greek newspaper on the Antikythera Mechanism Outreach project
"The fascinating book by Dr Vassilios Spathopoulos presents the ultimate guide to must-see places for science lovers, from ancient sites to planetariums" - Greece Is travel magazine, on Scientific Secrets of Athens
"Here you will learn about the observatory of Meton that was set up 2,500 years ago, or how to get to the Tower of the Winds, the world's oldest meteorological station that observed both the weather and the time. In short, in this guide you will discover the scientific secrets of Athens, for a walk that is different from the usual kind of walks. Besides, this is its name: Scientific Secrets of Athens" -Translated from the Greek edition of the HuffPost, on Scientific Secrets of Athens
"The book by Vassilios has been used recently by some of our instructors teaching a course with similar title, "Physics of Sports" offered to 7-10th graders...Since the book is written in easy language with explanation of the physics behind every equation, and is low cost, it is definitely a good starting point for a serious study of the subject" - Dr. Muhammad Ali Yousuf,
Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, on An introduction to the Physics of Sports
"Strength, Power, and Speed is all about movement and weight transfer, and movement is all about physics. 'The Introduction to the Physics of Sports' is an excellent book that breaks down all the myths associated with Sports. You don't need a College degree to understand the basic fundamentals of physics, and how it applies to all sports, as this book will show you how. Recommended." - Jimson Lee
Coach, SpeedEndurance.com, on An Introduction to the Physics of Sports
Selected academic publications
- Spathopoulos, V. M. “Validation of a rotorcraft mathematical model by use of gyroplane flight tests” The Aeronautical Journal, Vol. 108, No. 1079, pp 51-58, January 2004
- Spathopoulos, V. M. “An Investigation of the Flight Dynamic Characteristics of Gyroplanes by Use of Flight Tests” The Aeronautical Journal, Vol. 108, No. 1088, pp 531-535, October 2004
- Thomson, D. G., Houston, S. S., Spathopoulos, V. M., “Experiments in Autogyro Airworthiness for Improved Handling Qualities”, Journal of American Helicopter Society, Vol. 50, No. 4, pp 295-301, October 2005
- Spathopoulos, V. M., “The Use of Online Teaching in an Aircraft Technology Course”, World Transactions on Engineering and Technology Education, Vol. 6, No 1, pp 177-180, June 2007
- Spathopoulos, V. M., “A Physics Heptathlon: Simple Models of Seven Sporting Events”, Phys. Educ. 45 (2010)
- Spathopoulos, V. M., “Flight Physics for Beginners: Simple Examples of Applying Newton’s Laws”, Physics Teacher, 49, Issue 6, pp. 373 September 2011
- Spathopoulos, V. M, “A Spreadsheet Model for Soccer Ball Flight Mechanics Simulation”, Computer Applications in Engineering Education, 19, Issue 3, p. 508-513, September 2011
- Amoiralis E. I.,Tsili M. A., Spathopoulos V. M., Hatziefremidis A., “Energy Efficiency Optimization in UAVs: A Review” Materials Science Forum Vol. 792 (2014) pp 281-286, Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland
- Hatziefremidis A., Spathopoulos V. M., Amoiralis E. I., Tsili M. A., “Investigation of Shielding Materials Impact on the Effectiveness of UAV FSO Communication Systems”, Materials Science Forum Vol. 792 (2014) pp 311-315, Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland
- Spathopoulos, V. M., “Using freeware planetarium software to simulate the astronomical measurements of ancient Greeks”, Phys. Educ. 55 (2020)
- Spathopoulos, V. M., “A set of student activities for the simulation of ancient and medieval astronomical observations”, Phys. Educ. 56 (2021)
- Spathopoulos, V. M., “We know the way: learning the secrets of celestial navigation from ancient travellers”, Phys. Educ. 57 (2022)
- Spathopoulos, V. M., “Using astronomy to analyse the van Gogh drawing 'Bank of the Rhone'”, Phys. Educ. 59 (2024)
- Spathopoulos, V. M., “Using the moon to date a beautiful artwork”, Phys. Educ. 60 (2025)
- Spathopoulos, V. M., “How to plot a course through Time & Space”, Astronomy & Geophysics, Volume 66, Issue 2, April 2025, Pages 2.10–2.13
- Spathopoulos, V. M., “Van Gogh's summer sunsets: an astronomical approach to art analysis”, Phys. Educ. 60 (2025)
