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