Fellow 2022-2023 RICHARD WILMAN
Term: 04/2023 – 07/2023
I graduated from Oxford University in Physics, followed by a PhD in extragalactic astronomy at the Institute of Astronomy in Cambridge. For the latter, I carried out observational research on some of the most obscured, actively growing supermassive black holes in the nuclei of galaxies, so-called Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), probing the nature of the obscuration, fuelling mechanisms and their impact on the growth of the surrounding galaxy. Complementing observational studies on individual sources, I also undertook population modelling studies to assess the aggregate contribution of such AGN to the hard X-ray background radiation, which was then being resolved into individual sources for the first time by new X-ray satellite surveys.
Following my studies, I held research posts at leading university astronomical centres in the Netherlands, the UK and Australia. I also travelled extensively to observe with the world's premier telescopes in Hawaii, Chile and the Canary Islands, leading to the publication of some 50 papers in the refereed astronomical literature. Highlights of my later work also included simulations of the radio sky in preparation for the forthcoming Square Kilometer Array radio telescope.
In 2011, I pivoted away from frontline astrophysics research and took up a teaching-focused post in Physics and Astronomy at Durham University, UK. I teach across the full range of our undergraduate programmes, including lecture and laboratory modules and Master's research projects. Whilst lecturing on the subject of exoplanets and astrobiology, I developed an interest in natural cosmic hazards and their threats to life on Earth and elsewhere, which has since expanded to cover 'space risks' more generally. My work in this area led to the publication of the book 'Frontiers of Space Risk: Natural Cosmic Hazards & Societal Challenges', co-edited with space law and policy expert Prof Christopher Newman. My Fellowship stay at CAPAS will investigate the apocalyptic threat posed by rare but devastating cosmic hazards, and the long-term (post-apocalyptic) future of life in space.
Apocalyptic Cosmic Threats and our Post-Apocalyptic Future in Space
The theme of my project is Space and the (Post-) Apocalypse, encompassing threats to life on Earth originating from space, and visions for a future (post-apocalyptic or otherwise) in which life, and humanity, escapes its terrestrial confines and spreads out into space.
There is now public awareness that life on Earth is threatened by space hazards, the prime example being the extinction of the dinosaurs by an asteroid or cometary remnant 65 million years ago. Whilst events of this magnitude occur randomly on timescales of millions to billions of years, more moderate events with the ability to disrupt our way of life significantly are expected roughly once per century. The Covid pandemic underlines how the interconnectedness of modern society can amplify the direct effects of an initially modest or regional event, with systemic global consequences. I will focus on issues surrounding the assessment and communication of these ‘space risks’ across the full range of impact severity and frequency. In light of such risks, I will also consider how we should evaluate plans to expand the domain of life beyond Earth as a form of catastrophe insurance.