How do galaxies form, evolve, and assemble themselves over cosmic time? What physical processes are important for galaxy formation? What is the role of accretion (i.e. Galactic cannibalism) in galaxy formation? What is the structure of our Galaxy, the Milky Way and how did it come to be? These questions represent the field of Galactic archaeology and is Dr. Hawkins' primary research focus.

Other areas of interest include:
Stellar spectroscopy/chemistry
Galactic & Stellar archaeology
Galactic structure and dynamics
stellar populations
large spectroscopic surveys
Experimental Astrophysics