Ian Crawford (astrobiologist)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ian Andrew Crawford FRAS (born 1961)[1] is a British professor of planetary science and astrobiology at Birkbeck, University of London in the United Kingdom.[3]
1961 (age 64–65)[1]
Newcastle University (MSc)
Ian Crawford | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ian Andrew Crawford 1961 (age 64–65)[1] |
| Education | North Cestrian Grammar School |
| Alma mater | University College London (BSc, PhD) Newcastle University (MSc) |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | Birkbeck, University of London University College London |
| Thesis | A study of the interstellar medium towards the Scorpius OB1 association (1988) |
Doctoral students | Katherine Joy[2] |
| Website | www |
Education and early life
Born in Warrington, Cheshire, Crawford was educated at North Cestrian Grammar School in Greater Manchester from 1972 to 1979.[1] Crawford studied Astronomy at University College London (BSc, 1982) followed by Geophysics and Planetary Physics at Newcastle University (MSc, 1983). He was awarded a PhD in Astrophysics from University College London in 1988 for research on the interstellar medium.
Career and research
Crawford is a specialist in the science and exploration of the Moon and in the search for life in the Universe. Before switching his research interests to planetary science in 2003, Crawford had a 15-year career at University College London as an observational astronomer specializing in studies of the interstellar medium.[3] He is the author of over 130 peer-reviewed research papers in the fields of astronomy, planetary science, astrobiology and space exploration.[4]
In 2021, Crawford edited a book, Expanding Worldviews: Astrobiology, Big History and Cosmic Perspectives, which explores the links between the academic disciplines of astrobiology and Big History and their wider relevance to society.[5]
Crawford served as a Vice-President of the Royal Astronomical Society from 2017 to 2019.[1] He is a former member of the European Space Sciences Committee (ESSC) of the European Science Foundation and of the European Space Agency's Human Spaceflight and Exploration Science Advisory Committee (HESAC).[3]
Selected publications
- Who Speaks for Humanity? The Need for a Single Political Voice[6]
- The Lunar Surface as a Recorder of Astrophysical Processes[7]
- Widening Perspectives: The Intellectual and Social Benefits of Astrobiology (Regardless of Whether Extraterrestrial Life is Discovered or Not)[8]
- The Long-Term Scientific Benefits of a Space Economy[9]
- Lunar Resources: A Review[10]
- Interplanetary Federalism: Maximising the Chances of Extraterrestrial Peace, Diversity and Liberty[11]
- Avoiding Intellectual Stagnation: The Starship as an Expander of Minds[12]
- Lunar Exploration: Opening a Window into the History and Evolution of the Inner Solar System[13]
- Back to the Moon: The Scientific Rationale for Resuming Lunar Surface Exploration [14]
Awards and honours
Crawford is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (FRAS). In 2021, he was awarded the Royal Astronomical Society's Service Award for Geophysics; the citation refers to his long-standing promotion of lunar science and human space exploration, his role as a mentor for young planetary scientists, and other contributions to the planetary science community. In 2023, Crawford was awarded the Michael J. Wargo NASA Exploration Science Award; the award is given to a scientist or engineer who has contributed significantly to the integration of space exploration and planetary science throughout their career.
