Professor John C Brown and Peter Higgs (of the Higgs Boson) unveil the JC Maxwell plaque at Marischal College, Aberdeen, March 2017 UofG's Professor John Brown, Astronomer Royal for Scotland, is the 2017 recipient of the Klopsteg Memorial Lecture Award, from the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT). Professor Brown will deliver the lesture and receive his award during the AAPT Summer Meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The annual award recognizes "educators who have made notable and creative contributions to the teaching of physics".

Citation extract

"Brown is unquestionably one the leading astrophysicists in the United Kingdom. He has greatly enhanced progress in the important field of high energy radiation associated with solar activity, so improving our understanding of the physics of our nearest star and of the Sun-Earth system with the sometimes dramatic effects the Sun can have on our home planet.

"He has also worked in many other areas of astrophysics including hot star mass loss, comet collisions with the sun and stars, solar-sailed spacecraft, and ill-posed data deconvolution problems. In all of these Brown is recognized worldwide for his pioneering contributions to science, for his deep insight into the underlying physics, and for his determination to uncover truth rather than 'taking sides' on issues.

"Through his willingness, when demanded by the facts, to take a stance that is sometimes contrary to the popular wisdom, he has consistently striven to provide a thorough and clear exposition of the essential science and its importance.

"In addition to his formal university teaching and research activities, Brown has made a lasting contribution to the quality of life in our society through his perennial and unwavering zeal for community outreach activities. These range from talks and planetarium shows to diverse audiences, to enhancement of talks by use of his magician skills and collaborations with poets, playwrights, musicians and artists. Through these voluntary activities, which he has conducted for decades, he has had a profound impact on thousands of people, both young and old.

"Through his roles as an ambassador for astronomy and for science in general, Brown has greatly increased public awareness of the nature of scientific investigation and of the role of science in contemporary society."

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First published: 10 April 2017

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