Goodman Receives Astronomy Tenure

The change in title was only one of many in the back of this term's supplement to the Courses of Instruction: "Alyssa Goodman, Professor of Astronomy."

But this seemingly small modification represents the result of months of negotiation and controversy.

Over the summer, Goodman became the second woman in the Department of Astronomy ever to receive tenure--and thus the word "associate" was dropped from her title.

Only 10 percent of junior faculty at Harvard ever receive tenure. Over the past 20 years, only three professors have been tenured by the astronomy department.

Goodman was notified of her tenure appointment in early March, but the formalities of the appointment took two months more. Then it was almost four more months before she and the University agreed on a tenure package.

Astronomy department Chair Ramesh L. Narayan, who was on the committee that decided on Goodman's tenure, said he is very excited about her appointment.

"[The department] was delighted that this appointment happened," he said. "She is a world authority in her area."

Goodman's best known work has come in the field of measuring magnetic fields in star formations, an interest she has pursued since writing her doctoral thesis at Harvard a decade ago on interstellar magnetic fields. She has taught at the University since then.

Goodman introduced a graduate course in 1997 on "The Physics of the Interstellar Medium," an area where she concentrates much of her work. She is in the process of writing her first textbook focusing on the interstellar medium.

While considered by many to be a radio astronomer, Goodman says most of her work actually deals with infrared studies of the universe.

"My research utilizes single-dish and interferometric ground-based observatories," she said.

One of Goodman's main focuses is the use of technology in her everyday teaching. Almost every presentation she does is on the Internet, as are most of her lecture notes.

The astronomy department was so impressed with Goodman's use of technology that she has been chosen to oversee updates of the department's Web page.

"I'm looking for ways of exploiting technology better," she said.

Goodman's new status could also help her deal with the basics of being a scientist.

"One of the nice things about tenure is I get a secretary," she quipped, as she looked around her office at the Center for Astrophysics, overlooking Garden Street. "I need some organization."

Papers and scientific journals are scattered on nearly every surface in the professor's office. And on one wall hangs the 1997 Newton Lacy Prize from the American Astronomical Society, one of the most prestigious awards the association offers.

Hector G. Arce, one of Goodman's four graduate research assistants, said he was glad to see her receive tenure.

"Harvard made a good choice in doing this," the fifth-year doctoral candidate said. "This is a woman who has done a lot of good research and a lot of good for the University."