Teacher-Scholar Legacies: Paul Anderson
By Eric Carlson, Associate Professor of Physics
Dr. Paul Anderson, Professor of Physics and MacDonough Family Fellow, has been an outstanding member and contributor to the Department of Physics ever since he joined it in 1990. His contribution to research was outstanding, his dedication to quality education was remarkable, and his service to the department was invaluable.
Paul’s research in the area of quantum field theory in curved spacetime helped illuminate and elucidate the difficulties of understanding how particles behave in the presence of strong gravitational fields, such as the vicinity of a black hole. One of the most remarkable consequences, as first pointed out by Stephen Hawking, is that particles should be emitted from black holes, so that black holes are not truly black.
Paul’s work explored this in more detail and allowed him to study aspects such as the reliability of these predictions, how including details of the formation process would modify them, and how correlation functions could provide other measures of these effects. He also studied effects in similar systems more amenable to experimental verification, such as acoustic black hole analogs, where sound waves play the role of light waves, and the Schwinger effect, where particles are spontaneously generated in strong electric fields. His contributions to understanding these effects in the early Universe were also important.
My own research in this field was inspired by Paul’s work, and without his guidance, I would not have been able to do the research I did. Paul’s research was awarded the Excellence in Research Award in 1998, and according to Physics chair Daniel Kim-Shapiro, “…the person reading his citation said he was one of the only people who could prove whether Stephen Hawking’s theories are correct or not. He was named a fellow of the American Physical Society in 2020 for his significant contributions to the understanding of quantum field theory in curved space.”
Paul’s research also made him an excellent mentor for his graduate students. His Ph.D. student Richard Dudley said, “If there were a person I imagine to represent scientists as a whole, Paul would be as close as a human could get. He is able to maintain a stalwart scientific rigor while also possessing the empathy and consideration of a trusted family member. His consistent dedication to teaching and fundamental science has continued to inspire me and provide guidance to this day and will continue as I try to live up to a similar standard.”
Similar sentiments were expressed by student Ian Newsome, who wrote, “It has been an honor to be Paul Anderson’s student…Over the years, we have had countless conversations that have shaped not just my work but also how I think about science. He has taught me how to conduct careful, meaningful research, how to write with clarity and purpose, and how to engage with the broader scientific community. Through it all, he has led by quiet example — always thoughtful, always patient … and always generous with his time and insight. I am deeply grateful for everything he has taught me, and I will carry those lessons with me as I continue forward in my career.”
In addition to his role as a researcher, Paul’s dedication to teaching and his use of innovative teaching techniques helped keep his classes fresh and his students engaged. Keith Bonin, a former chair of the department, specifically cites his use of “partially flipping the class to incorporate problem-based learning, using weekly quizzes to keep students focused on the material, and expecting students to regularly generate short notes on reading assignments.” Not surprisingly, Paul was awarded the Excellence in Teaching Award in the Physics Department in 2020.
Paul also contributed to the Physics Department in several other ways. Former chair Rick Matthews said, “He elevated our annual alumni newsletter to a whole new level. When tasked with tracking progress on our strategic plans, he monitored every goal — major and minor — with exceptional diligence. He consistently encouraged the department to either accomplish each objective or provide a clear rationale for why it was no longer relevant. Thanks to his dedication, we are confident that we gained more value from our strategic planning than most departments.”
In summary, Paul exhibited all the qualities one wants in a faculty member: an accomplished researcher, a talented and beloved teacher, and a dedicated colleague and friend. We are happy to have had his contributions to the department over the last 35 years.
Dr. Paul Anderson, Professor of Physics and MacDonough Family Fellow
If there were a person I imagine to represent scientists as a whole, Paul would be as close as a human could get. He is able to maintain a stalwart scientific rigor while also possessing the empathy and consideration of a trusted family member. His consistent dedication to teaching and fundamental science has continued to inspire me and provide guidance to this day and will continue as I try to live up to a similar standard.
Richard Dudley, Paul Anderson’s Ph.D. student