Marek Janusz Kukula (born 1969) is a British astronomer and an author of works on popular science. After gaining a PhD in radio astronomy from theUniversity of Manchester in 1994, he specialised in studying distant galaxies. As his research reached the limits of telescopes, he moved into the field of public engagement. In 2008 he was appointed Public Astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich.
Kukula credits his father as the person who "first ignited and then encouraged my interest in the natural world", and a trip with his parents to theJodrell Bank Observatory at age 14 for his decision to focus on astronomy.[1]
He graduated in physics with astrophysics from theUniversity of Manchester in 1990 and in 1994 was awarded a PhD inradio astronomy from the same university with a thesis onThe radio properties of Seyfert nuclei,[2] based on research carried out atJodrell Bank Observatory.
Kukula's field is distant galaxies.[3]
After completing his PhD, Kukula subsequently worked as a postdoctoral research assistant atLiverpool John Moores University, theUniversity of Edinburgh's Institute for Astronomy (based at theRoyal Observatory Edinburgh) and theSpace Telescope Science Institute inBaltimore. This was followed by aPPARC Advanced Fellowship held at theUniversity of Edinburgh.
His research interests includeactive galactic nuclei (particularlySeyfert galaxy,Radio galaxy andquasars) and the ways in which largegalaxies and their centralsupermassive black holes have changed and evolved throughoutcosmological time.[4] This research has involved the use of a variety of telescopes, including theHubble Space Telescope, theVery Large Array,MERLIN, theWilliam Herschel Telescope, and theVery Large Telescope.
Kukula's interest in public engagement work was sparked when he enjoyed doing these activities in addition to his main role as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Edinburgh.[5]
As his work began to reach the limits of what was achievable with Hubble and the VLT, Kukula decided to move away from research, and instead explore the possibility of pursuing a career in the developing field of outreach.[1]
After his Fellowship, Kukula was appointed Course Organiser for Science and Nature in the University of Edinburgh's Office of Lifelong Learning, delivering a programme of science course for the general public.[6]
Kukula worked with theResearchers in Residence programme.[6]
Kukula was a member of theScience and Technology Facilities Council's Small Awards funding panel for public engagement in astronomy, particle and nuclear physics.[6]
In August 2008 he was appointed to the new post of Public Astronomer at theRoyal Observatory Greenwich[7][6] where his role was to engage the UK public and media with all aspects ofastronomy,astrophysics,cosmology andplanetary science.[8][9] The role included provision for a return to performing his own research, but Kukula initially doubt he would take this up, due to the time and enjoyment he got out of effectively researching a much larger body of science than just his research area.[5]
In 2013, in his role as Public Astronomer he curated theVisions of the Universe temporary exhibition at the National Maritime Museum.[10] Having attracted 72,000 visitors and been given a five star review byThe Guardian's art critic, Marek credited this as his greatest achievement so far, in a 2016 interview withThe Guardian.[9]
In 2015 he co-authoredThe Scientific Secrets of Doctor Who withSimon Guerrier, and described it as " a book which usedDoctor Who to explore science in the real world".[11][12]
From 2015 to 2017, Kukula reviewed science books forThe Spectator.[13]
In 2017 he was the first recipient of theRoyal Astronomical Society's Annie Maunder Medal for Outreach.[14][1]
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