Candidate Statement: Chryssa Kouveliotou

Chryssa Kouveliotou

Nominated Office: President

Affiliation: The George Washington University

Position/Title: Professor & Physics Department Chair

PhD Institution: Technical University of Munich and Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (1981)

Areas of scientific interest:

  • High energy astrophysics
  • Transients (Gamma-ray bursts, magnetars, explosive phenomena)

AAS positions & dates:

  • Member, Appointments Committee (2016 – 2019)
  • Vice President, AAS Council (2013 – 2016)
  • Chair, High Energy Astrophysics Division (2010 – 2012)
  • Vice-Chair, High Energy Astrophysics Division (2008 – 2010)
  • Councilor, AAS Council (2007 – 2010)
  • Executive Committee Member, High Energy Astrophysics Division (1994 – 1996)

Other relevant positions and experience:

  • Member, Board of Directors, Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (2019 – present)
  • Member, Executive Committee, NAS/Space Studies Board (2015 – present)
  • Chair, NASA/Astrophysics Division Roadmap Team (2013)
  • Member, Astrophysics Subcommittee, NASA Advisory Council/Science Committee (2012 – 2015)
  • Member, Board, American Association of Variable Star Observers (2011 – 2014)
  • Member, Committee on Council Affairs, American Association for the Advancement of Science (2017 – 2019)
  • Chair, US National Committee, International Astronomical Union (2019 – present)
  • President, Division D, International Astronomical Union (2015 – 2018)
  • Member, US National Committee, International Astronomical Union (2013 – present)
  • Member, Division Steering Committee of Division D (High Energy Phenomena and Fundamental Physics, International Astronomical Union (2013 – 2015)
  • USA Liaison, Commission 19 (Astrophysics), International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (2011 – 2017)
  • Vice-Chair, Commission E, COSPAR (2010 – 2018)
  • Member, Committee on Astronomy and Astrophysics, National Academy of Sciences (2003 – 2006)
  • Chair, Division of Astrophysics, American Physical Society (2003)
  • Vice-Chair, Division of Astrophysics, American Physical Society (2001 – 2002)

Candidate Statement:

In today’s world, the quality-of-life standards have changed dramatically. So has the professional environment. We used to joke that scientists live in their ivory towers — unfortunately, these towers do exist and they are not ivory — they are survival towers. Life conditions have changed so much that we are almost losing connection with what used to be normal.

I believe that we need to strengthen the AAS relevance to our members in this environment. I see older colleagues that are demoralized and fearful for their lives, younger ones desperately looking for a job — any job, and students who wonder what is the best route for employment. I hold them all dear in my heart and understand their quandary. AAS is an institution now needed much more than ever; it is our standard-bearer and our point of reference that ensures the continuity of our profession. Despite these very difficult times, our Society’s infrastructure is functioning seamlessly; our meetings are being held virtually and our journals continue publishing.

As the AAS President, I will strive to find the paths that touch most of our members, focusing on scientific excellence, collaborative work, job opportunities, and our future as a Society. To this end, I will poll our members on what are currently the main issues they are struggling with, what we need to improve or change, and how can we as AAS address their concerns. We need to strengthen the human links that made the difference in our meetings by employing creative ways, strong stimuli, and feasible incentives for our members to get together and reinstate regular interactions. I will join efforts with international astronomical societies to find global solutions for universal issues, such as threats to our profession (e.g., light & satellite pollution), and employment processes that enhance diversity and inclusion in science.

During my 40 years as a professional, I have held several leadership positions, such as AAS/HEAD executive committee member, vice-chair, and chair, AAS Councilor, and AAS Vice-President. Altogether, I have served the Society for about 12 years and I am honored to be a Legacy Fellow of the AAS. I have also been vice-chair and chair of the APS/Division of Astrophysics, president of Division D of the IAU, and a member of the AAAS/CAA (the AAAS executive council). I am currently a member of the AURA Board of Directors and of the NAS/Space Studies Board executive committee, and the chair of the US National Committee of the IAU. I was recently elected as the Physics Department Chair at George Washington University.

The most important question the new AAS President together with the AAS Board of Trustees needs to address is how to adjust the Society to the “new normal”, and I strongly believe we can. Our strength is in our union and our Society remains very solid and strong. AAS is a perfectly oiled machine with extremely seasoned and competent personnel. I pledge to serve our community with sincerity, transparency, and unwavering support.