Candidate Statement: Charles Liu

charles_liu.jpg



Nominated Office: Education Officer

Affiliation: City University of New York, College of Staten Island

Position/title: Associate Professor of Astrophysics, Dept of Engineering Science & Physics

PhD institution: University of Arizona 1996

Areas of scientific interest:
  • Galaxy evolution from high to low redshift
  • starburst and post-starburst galaxies
  • active galactic nuclei

AAS positions:

  • Astronomy Education Prize Committee (2013-present)
  • Astronomy Education Board (2012-present)
  • Committee on the Status of Minorities in Astronomy (2003-2008)

Other relevant positions and experience:

  • Director, Macaulay Honors College at CUNY College of Staten Island (2012-present)
  • Director, The Verrazano School at CUNY College of Staten Island (2008-2011; 2012-present)
  • Associate, Hayden Planetarium and Department of Astrophysics, American Museum of Natural History (2003-present)

Candidate Statement: "Human history," wrote H. G. Wells in his 1920 book The Outline of History, "becomes more and more a race between education and catastrophe." That race continues today; and in many ways, it grows ever closer. We astronomers educate at every level, formally and informally, depending upon our individual interests and our institutions' needs. Our philosophies, methods, and personal passions for teaching vary widely. Ultimately, though, I believe we are all educators in our own ways; and education will always be one of our most noble, powerful, and transformative activities.

The mission of the American Astronomical Society is “to enhance and share humanity’s scientific understanding of the universe.” I would be honored and privileged to promote, advocate for, and give voice to all of the education conducted by the Society and its membership — in all of its forms and at all of its levels — so that we may more completely fulfill the “share” part of our mission. I pledge to do my best to hear every opinion and include every contributor, in order to enhance and advance both astronomy education and educating with astronomy. Thank you all for giving my candidacy your consideration.