Natasha Jeffrey

Natasha Jeffrey is a Lecturer and Vice-Chancellor Fellow at Northumbria University specializing in solar physics. She leads research on solar flares as natural laboratories for studying astrophysical processes, particularly focusing on magnetic reconnection, turbulence, and energetic particle acceleration. Her work bridges observational astronomy with kinetic modeling to understand fundamental plasma processes occurring on the Sun.

Her research interests center on solar flare phenomena using high-energy observations (X-ray, EUV) combined with sophisticated kinetic modeling. She investigates particle acceleration mechanisms, X-ray transport effects, and the connection between solar flare energetic electrons observed at the Sun and in the heliosphere. Her work has significant implications for understanding space weather and fundamental plasma physics applicable across astrophysics.

Jeffrey's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on stereoscopic X-ray observations using Solar Orbiter/STIX, turbulence in solar flares, and the connection between solar flare acceleration processes and solar energetic particles. Her research increasingly leverages multi-point observations and advanced modeling techniques to constrain particle acceleration mechanisms.

• European Geophysical Union (EGU) Solar-Terrestrial Early Career Researcher Prize
• European Physical Society (EPS) Solar Physics Division (ESPD) Early Career Researcher Prize
• EPS Plasma Physics Thesis Prize

As Chair of the UK Solar Physics council, Jeffrey leads national coordination in solar physics research. She supervises PhD student Samuel Carter on constraining processes that accelerate and transport solar flare energetic electrons. Her research is supported by significant grants including UKRI STFC Consolidated and New Applicant Grants, and International Space Science Institute projects focused on stereoscopic X-ray observations and solar flare turbulence.