Dr Cormac O'Raifeartaigh

Lecturer in physics at WIT since 1996, appointed Senior Lecturer in 2023. Major part in design and delivery of BSc (Hons) in Physics for Modern Technology. Modules designed and taught include mechanics, the quantum theory of solids and special relativity. Other modules include:

Science, Universe and Society (1): A brief history of cosmology

Science, Universe and Society (2a): A brief history of particle physics

Science, Universe and Society (2b): A brief history of global climate

Early career work concerned the study of defects in solids. More recent research is concerned with the history and philosophy of 20th century science, in particular the rise of the Standard Model of particle physics and the rise of the Big Bang model of the evolution of the universe.

Best known for several original discoveries concerning the cosmology of Albert Einstein, in particular the discovery that Einstein once attempted a 'steady-state' theory of the universe. This work was described in Nature, Scientific American, Discovery Magazine and The New York Times.

BSc Hons (University College Dublin) 1988.

Trinity Trust Award (Trinity College Dublin) 1988-1991.

PhD (Trinity College Dublin) 1994.

CEC Marie Curie Research Postdoctoral Fellowship (Aarhus University) 1993 - 1994

CEC Marie Curie Research Postdoctoral Fellowship (Trinity College Dublin) 1994 - 1995

Member of the American Physical Society

Fellow of the Institute of Physics (UK) and Chartered Physicist

Research Fellow, Science, Technology and Society Program (Harvard University) 2010-11

Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society 2013

Associate Fellow of the School of Theoretical Physics of the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies 2014.

Well-known science communicator, best known for the science blog Antimatter and a monthly science column in The Irish Times. Science Ambassador for Discover Science and Engineering Ireland. Experienced public science presenter with appearances on The Six One News (RTE TV 1), Drivetime (RTE Radio 1), Pat Kenny Live (Newstalk) and Futureproof (Newstalk). Former Chair of the RAW public science debates at Science Gallery Dublin. 

Recent book chapters

1. O’Raifeartaigh, C. (2022). ‘Testing General Relativity on the Largest Scales in the Years 1915-1955: the Dawning of Modern Cosmology’. Accepted for publication in One Hundred Years Testing Einstein (ed. B. Odom and D. Kennefick), MIT Press, Boston. https://arxiv.org/abs/2201.06893

2. O’Raifeartaigh, C. (2022). ‘Eddington, Lemaître and the Hypothesis of Cosmic Expansion’. Accepted for publication in The Life and Science of Arthur Stanley Eddington (ed. David Valls-Gabaud), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. https://arxiv.org/abs/1907.12297

3. O’Raifeartaigh, C. (2020). ‘Historical and Philosophical Aspects of the Einstein World’. In Einstein Studies Vol 15. Thinking about Space and Time: 100 Years of Applying and Interpreting General Relativity (ed. Beisbart et al.), Birkhäuser, Boston pp. 52-74.

4. O’Raifeartaigh, C. and S. Mitton (2018). ‘A New Perspective on Steady-State Cosmology: from Einstein to Hoyle’. In Proceedings of the First International Conference on the History of Physics, (ed. M. Cooper et al.), Living Edition, Vienna: pp. 241-268.

5. O’Raifeartaigh, C. (2017). ‘A New Perspective on Einstein’s Philosophy of Cosmology’. In The Philosophy of Cosmology (ed. K. Chamcham et al.), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge pp. 467-485.

6. O’Raifeartaigh, C. (2013). ‘The Contribution of V.M. Slipher to the Discovery of the Expanding Universe’. In Origins of the Expanding Universe: 1912-1932 (ed. M. Way and D. Hunter), Astronomical Society of the Pacific Vol. 471, pp. 49-61.

Recent journal articles 

1.O'Raifeartaigh, C. (2022). ‘Einstein's Oxford blackboard’. The Antiquarian Astronomer ; Journal of the Society for the History of Astronomy 16: 92-96

2. O’Raifeartaigh C., O’Keeffe M. and S. Mitton (2021). ‘Historical and philosophical reflections on the Einstein-de Sitter model’. European Physical Journal H 46 (1): 4-14.

3. O’Raifeartaigh, C. and M. O’Keeffe. (2020). ‘Redshifts vs paradigm shifts: against renaming Hubble’s law’. Physics in Perspective 22: 215–225.

4.O'Raifeartaigh, C. and S. Mitton, S. (2018). 'Interrogating the legend of Einstein’s ‘biggest blunder’. Physics in Perspective 20(4): 318–341https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00016-018-0228-9

5.O'Raifeartaigh C., O'Keeffe M., Nahm W. and S. Mitton. (2018). ‘One Hundred Years of the Cosmological Constant: from ‘Superfluous Stunt’ to Dark Energy’. Eur. Phys. J. (H). 43(1): 73-117

6. O'Raifeartaigh C., O'Keeffe M., Nahm W. and S. Mitton. (2017). ‘Einstein’s 1917 Static Model of the Universe: A Centennial Review’. Eur. Phys. J. (H) vol. 42 (3): 431-474

7. O'Raifeartaigh C., O'Keeffe M., Nahm W. and S. Mitton. (2015). ‘Einstein's cosmology review of 1933: a new perspective on the Einstein-de Sitter model of the cosmos’. European Physical Journal (H) vol. 40 (3) pp301-335. ArXiv preprint at http://arxiv.org/abs/1503.08029 

8. O’Raifeartaigh, C, McCann, B, Nahm, W, and Mitton, S. (2014). ‘Einstein’s steady-state theory: an abandoned model of the cosmos’. European Physical Journal (H) vol. 39 (3), pp.353-367.  ArXiv preprint at http://arxiv.org/abs/1402.0132

9. O’Raifeartaigh, C. and McCann, B. (2014). ‘Einstein’s cosmic model of 1931 revisited: an analysis and translation of a forgotten model of the universe’. European Physical Journal (H) vol. 39 (1), pp. 63-85.  ArXiv preprint at http://arxiv.org/abs/1312.2192 

10. O’Raifeartaigh, C. (2014). ‘Einstein’s steady-state cosmology’. Physics World  (September 2014) vol. 27  no.9.

Recent magazine articles

1. Stephen Hawking; a successful scientist never truly dies RTE Brainstorm (13/03/2019) 

2. Investigating the legend of Einstein’s “biggest blunder” Physics Today (October 2018)

3. Einstein’s Greatest Blunder? Scientific American (February 2017)

4. Albert Einstein and the Origins of Modern Cosmology Physics Today (February 2017)

5. Einstein’s evolving universe PLUS Magazine, University of Cambridge (March 2017)

6. Einstein’s steady-state cosmology Physics World (September 2014)

7. Superconductor memories Lateral Thoughts, Physics World (April 2011)

8. E is for energy Lateral Thoughts, Physics World (October 2009)

9. The downside of technology Lateral Thoughts, Physics World (April 2009)

10. The last lecture Lateral Thoughts, Physics World (July 2008)

11. Einstein and the atomic theory The Engineer's Journal (Oct 2005)

12. Einstein and the quantum theory The Engineer's Journal (Sep 2005)

13. Einstein's relativity The Engineer's Journal (Nov 2005)

14. A relatively simple matter Spin Science magazine (Issue 9, 2005)

15.  Einstein and the quantum theory of light Spin Science magazine (Issue 12, 2005)

16. Einstein and the Atomic Theory (I) Spin Science magazine (Issue 13, 2005)

17. Einstein and the Atomic Theory (II)  Spin Science magazine (Issue 13, 2005)

Recent conference presentations

Eddington, Lemaître and the discovery of the expanding universe. Arthur S. Eddington Conference, Observatoire de Paris, 27-29 May 2019

Climate science and the media: a war on information? Invited lecture, Institute of Physics (Ireland) Spring Weekend, Athlone,  30/03/2019

The dawning of modern cosmology: and internal and external history. Third International Conference on the History of Physics, San Sebastian, Spain, October 17-20 2018

 Interrogating the legend of Einstein’s ‘biggest blunder’. IoP History of Physics Group Open Meeting, Institute of Physics, London, September 27th 2018

 Einstein’s ‘biggest blunder’; one hundred years of the cosmological constant. Niallfest Relativity Conference, University College Cork, May 24th-26th 2018

 Historical and philosophical aspects of the Einstein World. Talking about Space and Time: 100 Years of Applying and Interpreting General Relativity. Bern, Switzerland, Sep 11-15 2017

 Trust, uncertainty and society: the public perception of scientific uncertainty in climate science. When Experts Disagree (WEXT) Conference, University College Dublin, Aug 31st- Sep 2nd 2017

One hundred years of the cosmological constant. Fourth Irish Conference on the History of Mathematics, Dublin, June 9th 2017

The Einstein World: a centennial review of Einstein’s 1917 model of the cosmos. Fifth Irish Quantum Foundations Conference, University College Dublin, May 25-26 2017

‘Astronomy, General Relativity and the Universe: the first 100 years’ Keynote speaker, Irish National Astronomy Meeting, University College Dublin, September 9th, 2016

‘Einstein’s Oxford Blackboard’ 2nd International Conference on the History of Physics, Schloss Pollau, Austria, September 5th, 2016

‘Einstein’s Universe: General Relativity and the Big Bang’ Keynote speaker, Institute of Physics Ireland Annual Conference, Belfast, February 20th 2016

‘A new perspective on Einstein's cosmology’ Centenary Conference on the History of General Relativity, Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, Harnack Haus, Berlin, Dec 3rd 2015   

‘Steady-state cosmologies in context: from Arrhenius to Einstein, from Hoyle to Linde’ Fred Hoyle Centenary Meeting, Royal Astronomical Society, London, Oct 9th 2015

‘Our changing planet: the science behind Laudato Si’ Laudato Si Conference, Waterford Institute of Technology, Oct 3rd 2015

‘New perspectives on steady-state cosmologies’ Inaugural International Conference on the History of Physics, Trinity College, University of Cambridge, September 6th, 2014

‘A steady-state model of the cosmos by Albert Einstein’ Irish National Astronomy Meeting, Trinity College Dublin, August 14th 2014

‘Einstein and the quantum theory’, Irish Quantum Foundations Conference, Trinity College Dublin, May 31st 2014

‘The discovery of the expanding universe: paradigm shift or slow dawning?’ 223rd Meeting of the American Astronomical Society, Washington, Jan 5th 2014

 ‘VM Slipher and the discovery of the expanding universe’ Astronomical Science Group of Ireland, Westwood House Hotel, Galway, November 5th 2012

‘Who discovered the expanding universe?’ Origins of the Expanding Universe 1912-1932, Flagstaff, Arizona, September 14th 2012

Book reviews

O’Raifeartaigh C.  2022. Flashes of Creation . Review of 'Flashes of Creation: George Gamow, Fred Hoyle, and the Great Big Bang Debate', by Paul Halpern. (Basic Books, New York, 2021). Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage 25, Issue 4, April 2022, 827-828. https://doi.org/10.3724/SP.J.1440-2807.2022.04.16

O’Raifeartaigh C.  2022. Schrödinger’s Oxford Years. Review of 'Schrödinger in Oxford' by David C. Clary (World Scientific 2022). Science 375(6586): 1236.

O’Raifeartaigh C.  2019. A valuable addition to the history of cosmology.  Review of 'The Oxford Handbook of the History of Modern Cosmology', ed. Helge Kragh and Malcolm Longair (Oxford University Press 2019). Autumn Newsletter of the American Physical Society Forum on the History of Physics.

O’Raifeartaigh C.  2018. Has theoretical physics been betrayed by elegant mathematics? Review of 'Lost in Math: How Beauty Leads Physics Astray', by Sabine Hossenfelder  (Basic Books, 2018). Spring Newsletter of the American Physical Society Forum on the History of Physics.

O’Raifeartaigh C.  2015. A Very Brief History of General Relativity. Review of 'Einstein’s Masterwork: 1915 and the General Theory of Relativity’, by John Gribbin. Physics World (August 2015).

O’Raifeartaigh C.  2015. 'A Bad Night at the Academy'. Review of 'Einstein’s Dice and Schrödinger’s Cat' by John Halpern. History of Physics Newsletter,  Institute of Physics (December  2015)

O’Raifeartaigh C.  2015. 'A Very Brief History of General Relativity'. Review of 'Einstein’s Masterwork: 1915 and the General Theory of Relativity by John Gribbin. Physics World (August 2015)

O’Raifeartaigh C.  2014. 'One Hundred Years of General Relativity'. Review of The Perfect Theory: A Century of Geniuses and the Battle Over General Relativity by  Pedro G. Ferreira in Physics World (July 2014)

O’Raifeartaigh C.  2012. 'A Strange Cat in Dublin'. Review of Erwin Schrödinger and the Quantum Revolution by John Gribbin  in Physics World (November 2012)

O’Raifeartaigh C.  2012. 'Potshots from a Sceptical Scientist'. Review of The Science Delusion by Rupert Sheldrake in The Irish Times (04/02/2012)

O’Raifeartaigh C.  2011. 'A Startling Vision of the Future'. Review of Physics of the Future by Michio Kaku (Doubleday) in The Irish Times (23/04/2011)

O’Raifeartaigh C.  2010. 'A Glimpse of the Future'. Review of How It Ends by Chris Impey (Norton) in Physics World (December 2010)

O’Raifeartaigh C.  2010. 'A Dark Forecast of Climate Change'. Review of Climate Wars by Gynne Dyer (Oneworld) in The Irish Times (11/05/2010)

O’Raifeartaigh C.  2010. 'The Scramble for the Arctic'. Review of The Future History of the Arctic by Charles Emmerson (BodleyHead) in The Irish Times (12/04/2010)

O’Raifeartaigh C.  2009. 'The Story of the Quantum'. Review of Quantum: Einstein, Bohr and the Great Debate about the Nature of Reality by Manjit Kumar (Icon Books) in Physics World (May 2009)

Newspaper articles

1. O’Raifeartaigh C. Covid, Putin and fossil fuels

Science Today, The Irish Times, 31/3/2022 

2. O’Raifeartaigh C. Ethical and moral dilemmas in the time of COVID

Science Today, The Irish Times, 30/12/2021 

3. O’Raifeartaigh C. Response to COVID-19 and to Climate Crisis: A Remarkable Divergence

Science today, The Irish Times 30/9/2021 

4. O’Raifeartaigh C. A Tale of Two Crises

Science today, The Irish Times 29/7/2021 

5. O’Raifeartaigh C. Problems with Vaccine Rollout

Science Today, The Irish Times, 29/4/2021 

6. O’Raifeartaigh C. A Year of Triumph for Modern Science

Science Today, The Irish Times (31/12/20) 

7. O’Raifeartaigh C. COVID-19 is not a matter of opinion or politics 

Science Today, The Irish Times (29/10/20) 

8. O’Raifeartaigh C. Decisive government action flattened the curve - it needs to continue.

Science Today, The Irish Times (23/07/20) 

9. O’Raifeartaigh C. Lessons from the COVID-19 Crisis

Science Today, The Irish Times (30/04/20)

10. O’Raifeartaigh C.  Why Greta Thunberg Shouldn’t Stay in School

Science Today, The Irish Times (31/10/19) 

11. O’Raifeartaigh C. Hands off Hubble’s law

Science Today, The Irish Times (29/08/19) 

12. O’Raifeartaigh C. Einstein, Eddington and the 1919 eclipse

Science Today, The Irish Times (30/05/19) 

13. O’Raifeartaigh C.  The long search for the atom

Science Today, The Irish Times (31/01/19) 

14. O’Raifeartaigh C. Is science influenced by politics?

Science Today, The Irish Times (29/11/18) 

15. O’Raifeartaigh C. A scientist’s struggle with religion

Science Today, The Irish Times (30/08/18) 

16. O’Raifeartaigh C. Science history matters too much for us to carry on neglecting it

Science Today, The Irish Times (31/05/18)

17. O’Raifeartaigh C. A message from the first stars

Science Today, The Irish Times (31/03/18) 

18. O’Raifeartaigh C. Nine questions about climate change

Science Today, The Irish Times (30/11/17) 

19. O’Raifeartaigh C. A Question of Trust in Science

Science Today, The Irish Times (31/08/17) 

20. O’Raifeartaigh C.  Media and politicians must not lie about climate

Science Today, The Irish Times (30/03/17) 

The Year of Post-Truth. Science Today, The Irish Times (29/12/16) 

Trump’s rejection of climate science. Science Today, The Irish Times (29/09/16)  pdf

Belgian priest who preached the big bang. Science Today, The Irish Times (31/06/2016) 

Gravitational waves: general relativity passes another key test. Science Today, The Irish Times (31/03/2016) 

Irish Nobel win shows the glacial speed of science. Science Today, The Irish Times (31/12/2015)

Fred Hoyle: the brilliant man who lost the big bang debate. Science Today, The Irish Times (29/10/2015)

The great injustice of climate change. Science Today, The Irish Times (30/07/2015)

Ireland’s narrow research focus on commercial technology is short-sighted. Science Today, The Irish Times (29/04/2015)

Hawking film gripping despite a black hole or two. Science Today, The Irish Times (29/02/2015)

Einstein’s theory of relativity clashes with common sense. Science Today, The Irish Times (30/10/2014)

Fraudulent research results; how common are they? Science Today, The Irish Times (31/07/2014)

All changed, changed utterly. Article on Leaving Cert mathematics, The Irish Times (10/06/2014)

Term is over so the research begins. Science Today, The Irish Times (29/05/2014)

Science isn’t swayed by the fashion of the age. Science Today, The Irish Times (30/01/2014)

A Nobel for Higgs. Science Today, The Irish Times (31/10/2013)

Earth burns as we chat about the weather. Science Today, The Irish Times (22/08/2013)

No relief as climate change accelerates. Science Today, The Irish Times (14/06/2013)

Labs, lectures and luring young people into science. My Education Week, The Irish Times (14/05/2013)

Why the big bang is a misnomer. Science Today, The Irish Times (31/01/2013)

Don’t expect an evolution in US climate change policy. Science Today, The Irish Times (29/11/2012)

Lost genius who merits a place on the podium. Science Today, The Irish Times (30/08/2012)

Science is for everyone. Think Tank: Ideas for the 21st Century,The Sunday Times (04/08/2012)

A glimpse of the god particle. Science Today, The Irish Times (29/03/2012)

Verdict out on neutrino experiment. Science Today, The Irish Times (28/12/2011)

Relativity passes dramatic satellite test. Science Today, The Irish Times (22/09/2011)

One of the great puzzles of science celebrates its centenary. Science Today, The Irish Times (31/03/2011)

Five steps to keep science straight on global warming. Science Today, The Irish Times (30/10/2010)

Should Literacy Include Science? Science Today, The Irish Times (29/07/2010)

Fifty years of CERN. Science Today, The Irish Times (4/3/2004)

Quantum leap into the future. Science Today, The Irish Times (6/2/2003)

Well-known science communicator, best known for the science blog Antimatter and a monthly science column in The Irish Times. Science Ambassador for Discover Science and Engineering Ireland. Experienced public science presenter with appearances on The Six One News (RTE TV 1), Drivetime (RTE Radio 1), Pat Kenny Live (Newstalk) and Futureproof (Newstalk). Former Chair of the RAW public science debates at Science Gallery Dublin.