Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy SWOT Institute of Astronomy 2007-02-16.
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Transcript of Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy SWOT Institute of Astronomy 2007-02-16.
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
SWOT
Institute of Astronomy
2007-02-16
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
Why Astronomy ?
... and why in Lund ?
What do we do ?
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy Some Current Projects in Lund
Astrophysics Domain as suchEvolution of Stars and Elements beyond Helium
Dynamics and Interaction in Stellar Clusters
Structure and Evolution of Galaxies
Fundamental Properties of Light
Research in Adaptive Optics
Development of an Extremely Large Telescope
Development of a Space Telescope
Studies of Atomic Spectral Lines
Light Source Physics
Evolution of Planetary Systems
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
Open Stellar Cluster
Evolution of Stars
Evolution of Elements
Most Fundamental Processes after Big Bang
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
Are we Alone ?
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
Structure and Evolution of Galaxies
Galaxies with up to 1 000 000 000 000 Stars
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
Studies of Fundamental Properties of Light
Single-Photon Statistics ...
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
Shack-Hartmann Wavefront Sensor
Principles of Adaptive Optics
A new Era in Optics, Astronomy and ...
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
Integrated Modeling ofExtremely Large TelescopesAssembly and Solution of Large ODEs
We model an Extremely Large Telescope with a non-linear differential equation
Large parts of the telescope can be modeled using first-order differential equations
n=1 000 000!
Extremely Large Telescope
Mathematical Modelling
Diffraction-Limited Images
Planetary Systems to First Galaxies
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
Gaia Space Telescope for Astrometry
Solar System, Exoplanets, Stars, the Galaxy
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
Hollow-Cathode Lamp with Calcium and Neon Spectrum
Decoding Stellar Spectra
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy Some Current Projects in Lund
Non-Astrophysics Domains
Development of Tools for Ophthalmology
Atmospheric Turbulence and Aeroplane Security
Buildings and Wind Buffeting
Environmental Energy Balance of Earth
Illumination and Energy Saving
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
Energy Balancing a Fluorescent Lamp
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
Research PhD Education Undergraduate Education Technical Staff Administrative Staff Economy
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
Research
Strengths
Internationally competitive scientists - selected via competitionTop evaluations: Swedish Research Council & EU Science Panels High-end participation in several international projectsSubstantial Collaboration with Engineering InstitutesCollaboration with high-quality Swedish/international industryIncreasing funding from Swedish and EU funding agencies
Top International Rankings and Participation
Internal and External Collaborations
Increasing External Funding
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
Research
Weaknesses
Only 20 % women among senior staffSmall department and research groupsFunding from external sources without long-term guaranteesFunding situation a considerable stress factor
Senior-Staff Women Excellent but Few
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
Research
Opportunities
Increasing general interest in astronomy (EU statement)Growing participation in internationally competitive projectsPositive prospects for funding from future EU Research CouncilGrowing collaboration with Swedish industry (Consortium)
Curiosity-Driven and Applied Research
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
Research
Threats
Trends against funding of basic (curiosity-driven) research
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
PhD Education
Strengths
PhD education very popular - 20 - 40 applications per postSupervisors internationally active scientistsGood track record - PhD examinations achieved in due timeMany new PhDs obtain attractive post-doc posts abroadMany former PhDs hold prestige research positions abroadSome former PhDs now hold important positions in industryPhD students 50/50 women/men
Excellent Students - Women and Men
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
PhD Education
Weaknesses
Small research groups imply small local research environments
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
PhD Education
Opportunities
Increasing roles in high-end international research projectsIncreasing EU competition-based funding of research trainingNew masters programme a favourable basis for PhD education
Masters Programme !
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
PhD Education
Threats
General undergraduate-programme recruitment problemsIncreasing dependence on external funding
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
Undergraduate Education
Strengths
Astronomy ties together physics, chemistry and mathematicsMany of our students very interested and motivatedAll teachers are active in international researchTelescopes, instrumentation, laboratories available to studentsExam workers always part of research groups and projectsExam works often lead to publication in international journalsNew physics-astronomy programme in good progressMany master students to PhD studies, at home or abroad
Research and Education in Synergy
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
Undergraduate Education
Weaknesses
Modest number of undergraduate studentsNew students often weakly prepared in physics and mathematicsTight economy limits resources for development of equipment
Current Swedish School a Problem
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
Undergraduate Education
Opportunities
New masters programme an excellent developmentGrowing research activity in computational methods, statisticsClear improvement of telescope and instrumentation availabilityIncreasing interest in astronomy from engineering studentsIncreasing interest in astronomy from school teachers
Masters Programme !
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
Undergraduate Education
Threats
Number of students might decrease, following general trendsExtensive and intensive research competes for teacher timeNon-secured funding a worry for teachers-researchers
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
Technical Staff
Strengths
Highly skilled engineering and technical staffEngineering and technical staff covering most important fieldsFavourable external funding of technical staff
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
Technical Staff
Weaknesses
Funding of technical staff limited in time and long-term insecureHigh dependence on every staff member implies small margins
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
Technical Staff
Opportunities
Progress of international projects give hope for further fundingRecent staff recruitments attracted many qualified candidates
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
Technical Staff
Threats
Uncertain external funding makes staff employment insecure
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
Administrative Staff
Strengths
Skilled and engaged staffFavourable job-sharing abilities
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
Administrative Staff
Weaknesses
Smallness of administrative staffLimited possibilities for salary increase encouragement
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
Administrative Staff
Opportunities
New faculty-based approach to administrative routines
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
Administrative Staff
Threats
Increasing administrative requirements from funding agenciesInsecure funding
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
Economy
Strengths
Large and wide awareness of need for tight economy handlingWe are used to deal with and solve economic problems
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
Economy
Weaknesses
Smallness makes us vulnerable also to small budget decreasesLimited possibilities for adjustments
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
Economy
Opportunities
Positive development regarding resulting balancePositive development concerning external funding
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
Economy
Threats
General university and faculty trends are not very brightInterest in university studies continues low and decreasing
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
Our Economy in Reality
Balance
External Funding
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
Balance Lund Observatory 2001-2006
-16
-14
-12
-10
-8
-6
-4
-2
0
2
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Total (Mkr)Corrected
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
Total: From Accounts
Corrected: Total minus costs for New Building
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
External funding Lund Observatory 2001-2006
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Mkr
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
We expect External Funding for 2007 to exceed that of 2006
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
Conclusions
We Hope for the Best
We are Prepared for the Worst
Faculty of Science Institute of Astronomy
Conclusions
We Hope for the Best
We are Prepared for the Worst
and .... Science is Fun