Remarkable Achievement: VU Professor Gražina Tautvaišienė Elected Vice-President of the International Astronomical Union
During the General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) that took place from 6 to 15 August in Cape Town, South Africa, Gražina Tautvaišienė, a renowned Lithuanian astronomer, Head of Molėtai Astronomical Observatory, and Professor at the Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astronomy of Vilnius University (VU), was elected Vice-President of this esteemed organisation. This achievement marks a significant milestone for astronomy in Lithuania, making Prof. G. Tautvaišienė the first scientist from the Baltic States to have been appointed Vice-President in over a century of the organisation’s history. The role of the next IAU President will be assumed by Nobel Laureate Prof. Brian Schmidt from Australia.
"I am thrilled that Lithuania has received the IAU’s recognition for the first time in its extensive history. I’m excited and look forward to collaborating with the world’s leading astronomers, particularly with the Nobel Laureate Prof. Schmidt", notes Prof. Tautvaišienė.
She has known Prof. Schmidt for 12 years since being elected Vice-President of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics. In three years, Prof. Schmidt will succeed the eminent Swiss scientist Prof. Willy Benz.
Prof. Tautvaišienė has been appointed Vice-President for a six-year term. She has been entrusted with coordinating global ground and space research, as well as guiding the activities of the Working Group of IAU Junior Members.
"As Vice-President, my key goal is to advance the interests of the Lithuanian and global astronomical community. I aim to promote international cooperation and conferences on new research projects and technological developments in the field of astronomy. I will also devote significant effort to mentoring the Working Group of IAU Junior Members. Young people face numerous challenges concerning their careers in academia and industry, as well as mobility, psychological and financial security, inclusiveness, transparency, geographical location, and gender balance", says the VU scientist.
Moreover, Prof.Tautvaišienė has been delegated as one of the seven members of the Advisory Board in charge of selecting recipients of the prestigious "Gruber Cosmology Prize". Established by the IAU and the Gruber Foundation, the prize is awarded annually to one or more scientists of any nationality: astronomers, physicists, mathematicians, or scientific philosophers for their discoveries leading to fundamental advances in our understanding of the Universe. In addition to all these missions, the Professor will also be involved in many other tasks collectively undertaken by the IAU Executive Committee.
The IAU is a senior body governing international professional astronomical activities and research worldwide. It is the world’s leading astronomical organisation that brings together members from more than 100 countries. Prof. G. Tautvaišienė has become the first scientist from the Baltic States to be elected Vice-President since the IAU’s foundation in 1919. Two more new Vice-Presidents have been appointed from Chile and South Africa.