Peter Goddard

Peter Goddard
Director

Peter Goddard, a mathematical physicist, has been Director of the Institute for Advanced Study since January 2004. He is distinguished for his contributions in the areas of string theory and quantum field theory, as well as strong administrative leadership in academic institutions in the United Kingdom. Formerly Master of St. John’s College in the University of Cambridge, England, Dr. Goddard played a key role in the establishment of the university’s Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences and served as its first Deputy Director. He also led the planning and fundraising for the University of Cambridge Centre for Mathematical Sciences, one of the world’s largest centers for research and teaching in the mathematical sciences.

Recognized as one of the pioneers of string theory, a favored candidate to provide a framework for the unified theory of fundamental physics, Dr. Goddard is the author of some one hundred published papers. In 1997, together with David Olive, he was awarded the Dirac Prize and Medal of the International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, in recognition of their highly influential contributions over an extended period to string theory and quantum field theory.

University of Cambridge, Ph.D. 1971, Sc.D. 1996; Trinity College, University of Cambridge, Research Fellow 1969–73, Honorary Fellow 2009–; CERN, Geneva, Visiting Scientist 1970–72; University of Durham, Lecturer 1972–74; University of Cambridge, University Assistant Lecturer 1974–76, University Lecturer 1976–89, Reader 1989–92, Deputy Director of the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences 1991–94 (Honorary Fellow 2011–), Professor 1992–2004; St. John’s College, University of Cambridge, Lecturer 1975–91, Fellow 1975–94, Tutor 1980–87, Senior Tutor 1983–87, Master 1994–2004, Fellow 2004–; Institute for Advanced Study, Member, School of Natural Sciences 1974, School of Mathematics 1988, Director 2004–; Institute of Physics, Fellow; London Mathematical Society, Member (President 2002–03); Royal Society of Arts, Fellow; Royal Society of London, Fellow; Trinity College, Dublin, Honorary Fellow; International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Dirac Prize and Medal 1997; Commander of the Order of the British Empire 2002