Distinguished Lecturer, Paul H. Knappenberger Jr., PhD

PAUL H. KNAPPENBERGER Jr., PhD, is President of the Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum in Chicago, a post he has held since 1991. He serves as president of Chicago’s Museums in the Park organization, a consortium of ten major museums situated on Chicago Park District property that includes the Adler’s Museum Campus partners, the John G. Shedd Aquarium and Field Museum of Natural History. Dr. Knappenberger was a recent member of NASA’s Space Science Advisory Committee and chaired its Task Force for Education and Public Outreach. He also chaired the Museum Partners group of the Chicago Systemic Initiative, part of a nationwide effort focusing on systemic improvement of math and science instruction in schools.

Before coming to the Adler in 1991, he served as Director of the Science Museum of Virginia (Richmond) since its founding in 1973. Over the past 30 years he has led efforts to develop interactive exhibits and create educational activities for elementary and secondary schools in astronomy. He is a member of the American Astronomical Society, the International Planetarium Society, and regional planetarium associations. He was a reviewer on the National Science Foundation's Panel for the Public Understanding of Science. He has served as President of the Association of Science-Technology Centers and on the Council of the American Association of Museums. He has taught astronomy at Emory University, Georgia State University, University of Richmond, University of Virginia, and Virginia Commonwealth University. His research efforts include work in optical interferometry at the University of Virginia, where he earned his Ph.D.

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