Hi, I'm Dr. Moiya!
Folklorist to the stars,
& Astrophysicist to the folks*
What's a queer Black girl from rural Pennsylvania doing with four Ivy League degrees in astrophysics and folklore?
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She's absolutely thriving!
I'm at my best when collecting and sharing knowledge. I love learning, and I'm on a mission to get other people excited about it, too. So I give talks, write books, and host shows that share facts in fun, engaging ways.
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Remember, learning is allowed to be fun! In fact, studies show that people learn best when they're having fun, so we owe it to science to have a great time.
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*this epithet brought to you by Noah Guiberson, a friend who is much cleverer with words than I am
Wait, astrophysics and folklore?! How does that work?
My work sits at the intersection of science and storytelling, fact and fiction, complex concepts and chaotic creativity.
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I see mythology and astronomy as two sides of the same coin, one that buys us an ever-evolving understanding of the universe. I'm thrilled that telescopes and computers have given us a mathematical and physical understanding. At the same time, I know that humanity runs on stories. They're such a powerful way to share knowledge, and that's exactly what myths used to do.
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So in my work, I use science to make stories feel rich, and stories to make science accessible.
What I Offer
"Moiya embodies the most compelling attributes of a great speaker: she knows her science, she is passionate about sharing science, and she understands how to engage her audience. I always walk away with a new or deeper understanding of the topic. In the universe that Moiya shares, science is fascinating, cool, and relevant."
- Lyndele von Schill (NRAO)
"No matter the subject or setting, I always leave with my mind thoroughly blown, and in awe of our universe. Her talks blend humor, information and context in a relatable and entertaining way."
- Kate Downey (Caveat NYC)
"Dr. McTier is witty, brilliant, and an excellent facilitator. I would encourage anyone attempting to foster more creative collaboration across the sciences, arts, and humanities to consider learning from this transformative thinker."
- Josh Cerretti (WWU)
"Dr. McTier captured our audience with her insightful words, clever anecdotes, and meaningful reflection exercises. She managed to keep high school students highly engaged at 9 am on a Saturday, which reflects her great presence and understanding of her audience."
- Helena Heckschen (YWLL)
Dr. McTier's speaking engagements are managed by Worldwide Speakers Group. Contact them to inquire about her availability.