Todd Duncan

Todd Duncan is a cosmologist in the broad sense of the term. His work is guided by the theme of looking for meaning in the modern universe - developing ways for people to see a place for themselves within our modern scientific map of the cosmos. He combines a research background in physics with experience teaching science concepts to a wide range of audiences, from elementary school to graduate courses and programs for the general public. Todd received his undergraduate degree in physics from the University of Illinois, an M. Phil. from Cambridge University as a Churchill Scholar, and a doctorate in astrophysics from the University of Chicago where he was an NSF Fellow. He joined the faculty of the Center for Science Education at Portland State University in 1997 to pursue his interest in interdisciplinary "big questions" research and its application to science education. In 1998 he founded the Science Integration Institute as a forum for people looking to explore what it means to be human in the universe as understood by modern science. He is currently director of the Science Integration Institute and teaches astronomy at Portland Community College.