Lars Lindberg Christensen

CURRICULUM VITAE for Lars Lindberg Christensen

Work experience

A complete list of publications – books, popular articles, articles on communication etc. – can be found here.

Head of Communications, Education & Engagement NSF’s NOIRLab 2019–
Managing the Communications, Education & Engagement for NSF s NOIRLab in Arizona, Hawai’i and Chile. Here he is responsible for the communication, education and community engagement for NOIRLab consisting of Cerro Tololo, CSDC, Gemini, Kitt Peak and Rubin operations.

Director of Communications, International Astronomical Union 2005–2024 (formerly Press Officer)
Responsible for the International Astronomical Union’s communication and Press Office.

Head of Outreach Initiatives, European Southern Observatory 2019–2019
Responsible for public communication for ESO’s Extremely Large Telescope (the largest optical telescope in planning), and ESA’s part of the Hubble Space Telescope. Developing strategic initiatives and innovative campaigns for promoting astronomy to media, laypeople and other audiences.

Head of education and Public Outreach, European Southern Observatory 2008–2019
Leading the ESO education and Public Outreach Department (ePOD) in Munich, Germany. Responsible for public outreach and education for the La Silla Paranal Observatory, for ESO’s part of ALMA (the largest and most expensive ground-based astronomical project currently under construction), the European Extremely Large Telescope (the largest optical telescope in planning), ESA’s part of the Hubble Space Telescope, ESO’s part of CTA, and the International Astronomical Union Press Office.

PIO/Head of Communication for the European Space Agency part of Hubble Space Telescope at European Southern Observatory (ESO), Munich, Germany   1999-2008
Building up a small science communication office in Munich under the ESA SCIENCE Directorate (http://www.spacetelescope.org). Daily tasks range from: management, budget control, writing and editing of news releases, media relations, distribution, education, evaluation (press clippings, web stats, VNR tracking), art direction, teaching (science communication, astronomy etc.), technical implementation, marketing and project control. Has resulted in a deep knowledge of European space operations, and an insight into the important interplay between management, organization, and effective internal and external communication.

Astronomer and Head of Information Technologies
Tycho Brahe Planetarium, Copenhagen, Denmark   1989–1999
A multitude of different science communication, technical and marketing tasks in the period from 1989-1999 (1989-1996 ¾ time): From production of exhibitions and star shows over PR campaigns for the Danish micro-satellite programme, to writing press releases, performing interviews on TV and radio etc. etc.

Greenland meteorite expeditions, Greenland   1994 & 1998

Unix system administration (part-time), Teoretisk Astrophysics Centre, Copenhagen   1995–1996

Teaching assistant (part-time), University of Copenhagen   1991-1996

Head observer, Round Tower Observatory (part-time), Copenhagen, 1991–1993

Guide, Round Tower Observatory (part-time), Copenhagen   1984–1997

Planetarium guide Technical Museum (part-time), Elsinore   1984–1985

Education

  • Master of Science, Astrophysics, University of Copenhagen, Denmark   1996
  • Bachelor of Science, Physics, University of Copenhagen, Denmark   1993
  • High-school, Efterslægtselskabets Gymnasium, Denmark    1989


Professional Activities

  • Council Member for ASTRO ACCEL 2023–
  • Chair of the NAOJ PRC International Review Committee, 2020
  • Member of the IAU Working Group on Astronomy for Equity and Inclusion, 2019–
  • Member of the IAU NameExoWorlds II Task Force, 2018–2019
  • Member of the IAU 100 Years of the IAU Task Force, 2017–2019
  • Jury member Planetarium of the future competition, 2017
  • Referee for the Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 2016
  • Chair of the EIROforum Ad-Hoc Communications Group, 2016–2017 (chair)
  • Expert Evaluator for NAOJ/IAU (OAO), 2016
  • Expert Evaluator for CONICYT, Chile, 2016
  • Expert Evaluator for the European Commission, Horizon 2020, European Researchers Night, 2016
  • Member of the Board of Trustees (Kuratorium) for the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Heidelberg 2015–2020
  • Member of IAU Commission C2 Communicating Astronomy with the Public Organising Committee, 2015–2021
  • Chair of IAU Commission C2 WG Public Outreach Information Management, 2015–2018
  • Member of IAU Commission C2 WG CAP Conferences, 2015–2024
  • Member of IAU Commission C2 WG CAP Journal, 2015–2018
  • Member of IAU Commission C2 WG Science Communication Research in Astronomy, 2015–2018
  • Member of IAU Commission C1 Astronomy Education and Development, 2015–2018
  • Visiting Astronomer at Soneva Fushi, Maldives, 2015–
  • Member of jury for Photo Nightscape Awards 2014–2016
  • Member of the International Planetarium Society Vision 2020 Advisory Group 2014–2016
  • Expert Evaluator for the Shanghai Planetarium 2014–2015
  • Member of IAU Executive Committee WG Public Naming of Planets and Planetary Satellites 2013–
  • Expert Evaluator for GEMINI–CONICYT, 2013
  • Member of the International Planetarium Society Science and Data Visualization Task Force, 2013–
  • Member of the IAU Division C Education, Outreach and Heritage Steering Committee 2012-2015
  • President for the International Astronomical Union Commission 55 Communicating Astronomy with the Public http://www.communicatingastronomy.org/, 2012-2015
  • Member of Task Force 3 for IAU Office of Astronomy for Development, 2012–2015
  • ASTRONET2 Panel E chair 2011-2014
  • Expert Evaluator and Panel Chair for the European Commission, FP7 HEALTH, 2010
  • Member of the Board of Advisors for KV 265, 2010–
  • Expert Evaluator for the Research Council of Norway, NORKLIMA, 2009
  • ASTRONET Panel E member 2007-2008
  • Review Panel Chair for the National Observatories of Japan Public Relations Center, 2008
  • Expert Evaluator for the European Commission, FP7 Socio-economic Sciences and Humanities, 2007
  • Executive editor of the peer-reviewed Communicating Astronomy with the Public journal (CAPjournal) 2007-2017
  • Expert Evaluator and Panel Chair for the European Commission, FP7 HEALTH, 2007
  • Press Officer for the International Astronomical Union, 2006–
  • Member of the Advisory Council for Astronomy Education Review, 2006-2009
  • Vice-President for the International Astronomical Union Commission 55 Communicating Astronomy with the Public http://www.communicatingastronomy.org/, 2009-2012
  • Secretary for the IAU Executive Committee International Year of Astronomy 2009 Working Group, 2006-2010
  • Advisory Editor Astrophysics and Space Science Proceedings, Springer New York, 2006-2011
  • Outreach & Education Coordinator for the European Virtual Observatory/AVO 2001-2004
  • Secretary for the International Astronomical Union Division XII Union-Wide Activities http://www.iaudivisionxii.org, 2004-2009
  • Member of the Science Communication Focus Group at the NASA Astrobiology Institute, 2004-2006
  • Secretary for the International Astronomical Union Commission 55 Communicating Astronomy with the Public http://www.communicatingastronomy.org/, 2006-2009
  • Member of the AUUF Sub-Committee to define a Danish National Strategy for astronomy outreach and education, 2003-4

Conference Organizing

  • Member of the SOC for the IAU Commission C1 Conference on Astronomy Education: Bridging Research & Practice, Toronto, 2023, 2022–2023
  • Member of the SOC for the IAU Commission C1 Conference on Astronomy Education: Bridging Research & Practice, Garching, 2019, 2018–2019
  • Member of the SOC for the Astrovizualisation Workshop, Pasadena, 2018, 2017–2018
  • Member of the SOC for the International Planetarium Society conference 2018, 2016–2018
  • Member of the SOC for the Communicating Astronomy with the Public conference 2018, 2016–2021
  • Co-chair of the SOC for Public awareness of large scale facilities II Communicating the importance of science to society 2017
  • Member of the SOC for the NAOJ–IPS Data to Dome Workshop, 2016–2017
  • Member of the SOC for the International Planetarium Society conference 2016, 2014–2016
  • Member of the SOC for the Communicating Astronomy with the Public conference 2016, 2014–2016
  • Member of the SOC for the International Symposium of the NAOJ Museum 27-29.9.2015
  • Member of the SOC for FM 19: Communicating Astronomy with the Public in the Big Data Era, IAU General Assembly, 2015
  • Co-chair of the SOC for Public awareness of large scale facilities Expectations – Experiences – Examples, 2015
  • Member of the SOC for Communicating Astronomy with the Public 2013, 2013
  • Member of the SOC for Special Session 14: Communicating Astronomy with the Public for Scientist, IAU General Assembly, 2012
  • Member of the SOC for Communicating Astronomy with the Public 2011, 2011
  • Member of the SOC for Bob Fosbury’s Scientific Career, 2011
  • Member of the SOC for European Planetary Science Congress 2007, Potsdam, 2007
  • Member of SOC (co-chair) for Communicating Astronomy with the Public 2007, Athens, 2007
  • Member of the LOC for The ESO – International Year of Astronomy 2009 meeting, Munich, 2007
  • Member of the SOC for European Planetary Science Congress 2006, Berlin, 2006
  • Member of the SOC for Astro-Viz 2006, Los Angeles, 2006
  • Member of the SOC for Innovation in Teaching/Learning Astronomy Special Session at the IAU General Assembly, Prague 2006
  • Member of the SOC (co-chair) and LOC (chair) for Communicating Astronomy with the Public 2005, Munich, 2005
SkillsExperience
Personnel ManagementExcellent
Project ManagementExcellent
Written communicationExcellent
Media RelationsExcellent
Professional use of computers (from Word to Video Editing)Excellent
Technical publicationExcellent
Digital image processingExcellent
Analogue and digital mediaExcellent
Budget controlExcellent
Art DirectionVery good
FundraisingVery good


Languages

  ReadingWritingSpeaking
 EnglishC2C2C2
 DanishNativeNativeNative
 GermanC1B2C1
 SwedishB2B1B2
 NorwegianB2B1B2
 FrenchA2A2A2

Awards


Memberships etc.

  • ECSITE
  • International Planetarium Society
  • International Astronomical Union
  • SPIN – Science Public Information officer Network


Teaching activities (excerpt)

  • Lecturer at ESO Astronomy Camp 2013
  • Lecturer at high-school teachers education workshop, Glasgow, Scotland   2006
  • Lecturer at high-school teachers education workshop, Skt. Petersburg (Global Hands-on Universe conf.)   2004
  • Lecturer at High-school teachers education workshop, Paris (Global Hands-on Universe conference)   2002
  • Lecturer at ESA Space Camp   2002
  • Lecturer at high-school teachers education, Haslev, Denmark   2002
  • Lecturer at high-school teachers education, Munich   2001
  • Lecturer at high-school teachers education in astronomy and physics, Københavns Lærerhøjskole   1996, 1997
  • Supervisor at Physics 101 Exercises (Fysik 1 Frie Øvelser), University of Copenhagen   1991–1995

Training

  • The Effective Leadership Program , 2021
  • Effective Feedback — Reframing, 2019
  • Delegation Skills, 2018
  • Providing Meaningful Feedback, 2016
  • Developing successful exhibitions, Journal of Science Communication Masterclass, 2014
  • Management Styles and Managing Change, The Scala group, 2009
  • Managing Change, Management, MCE Coaching, 2008
  • 3D Studio Max  1995

Selected talks (not maintained)

  • Adventures with Hubble, Dublin/Belfast 2008
  • Google Sky and Google Universe, Leaders@Google talk #6   2006
  • The IAU and the Pluto affair, Jet Propulsion Laboratory   2006
  • Fulldome standards and archives, Immersive Cinemas, Porto2006
  • IAU and the Pluto Affair, Plenary talk at the ASP EPO conference   2006
  • The IAU and the International Year of Astronomy 2009, IAU General Assembly    2006
  • IAU’s communication strategy & Hands-on Science Communication, IAU General Assembly    2006
  • Virtual Repository Progress, (w. Robert Hurt), IAU General Assembly    2006
  • The FITS Liberator, 6 Years of Chandra symposium, Boston   2005
  • Produce your First DVD   2005
  • Virtual Repository/Outreach metadata   2005
  • Hands-on Images 1   2005
  • Virtual Repository Progress   2005
  • 15 Years with the Hubble Space Telescope – Per aspera ad astra, Rome   2005
  • Communicating Astronomy with the Hubble Space Telescope, Rome and Milan   2005
  • ESA’s celebrations of Hubble’s 15 th Anniversary, Hamburg and Copenhagen   2005
  • Hubble’s Future, Copenhagen and Hamburg2005
  • Hands-on Science Communication, invited talk at JENAM, Grenada   2004
  • Virtual observatories and real data in education, inv. talk at GHOU (education), Skt. Petersburg   2004
  • A national communication strategy for astronomy and space research, invited talk at Nyborg   2004
  • The Ideal Communication Office, invited talk at the INAF workshop Stelle de Carta, Bologna   2003
  • På fælles talefod og Ressourceoptimering, Workshop on science communication , Brorfelde   2003
  • Overview of Hubble PR and Communication, invited talk at GHOU (education) , Paris   2002
  • The Marvels of the Hubble Space Telescope, inv. popular talk at the GHOU (education), Paris   2002
  • Exploring Space, VIPER, invited talk at Int. Festival for Film, Video and New Media, Basel   2001
  • 10 Years that Changed our Vision, various venues   1999–2001