Steve Gullberg, associate professor of Interdisciplinary Studies and Aviation for the College of Professional and Continuing Studies, has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) in London.
Founded in 1820, the RAS encourages and promotes the study of astronomy, solar-system science, geophysics and closely related branches of science. Its more than 4,000 members, or Fellows, consist primarily of Ph.D.-level professional astronomers and geophysicists, postgraduate researchers, retired scientists and amateur scientists, historians of astronomy and geophysics, and others with an interest in the geo- and astro-sciences. Only a quarter of Fellows are based outside of the United Kingdom.
“It is a great honor to be included among the Fellows of such a highly respected organization,” Gullberg said of joining the RAS. “It means a great deal to me to be associated with such esteemed colleagues. It is a great validation of my work.”
In addition to his work with the College of Professional and Continuing Studies, Gullberg is a retired airline captain, having flown with American Airlines following a 32-year career in the Air Force and Air Force Reserve before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He received a Master of Liberal Studies from the University of Oklahoma and a Ph.D. in Astronomy from James Cook University. His research marries two of his passions—archaeology and astronomy—in the emerging field of archaeoastronomy. He is widely published and continues to present on his research at international conferences as an expert in the field.
Gullberg currently serves as world chair for archaeoastronomy for the International Astronomical Union and developed OU’s archaeoastronomy program. His top priority in his new position will be to lead a joint initiative regarding Indigenous concerns with observatories at culturally sensitive sites throughout the world on behalf of the RAS and IAU.
