Some big news-- want to work with me?
Hello everyone,
I'm writing today with an update that I've been really excited to share.
Starting in June, I'm bringing the work I care most about into the center of my life, instead of trying to fit it in around the margins. This means two things in practice: I will be doing my scholarly work in astronomy and its social impacts at The JustSpace Alliance, the organization I co-founded back in 2018. I will also be starting a professional circus training program at Aloft Circus Arts! For those who are maybe more familiar with traditional movement arts like dance, this is the equivalent of getting into Julliard-- and I could not be more excited!
And yes, this means that after nearly 8 years, I will be leaving the Adler Planetarium. Many of you may have seen the essay I wrote back in 2018 about deciding to join the astro department there instead of taking a tenure track faculty job. That was the right decision for me then, and I don't regret it! My overall experience working in the museum/planetarium setting has been pretty mixed-- I'll likely write something more in depth about that at a later date, for those who are curious about careers in that space.
You might be wondering: Lucianne, how are you going to eat? Great question! I'm taking this leap without all the answers-- and to be clear, I don't have things like "savings" or "family support". I'm just leaping, sans net, because this is what's right for me.
As many of you know, last fall I was hit by a car. When I say "hit by a car" people seem to assume I mean I was also in a car. I was not, I was on foot, and I was hit by an uninsured driver. I sustained a serious brain injury and was out on disability leave for 12 weeks until January of this year. I had to return to work in January because I would have lost my health insurance. Things are going a lot better than they were then, but having to go back to work, especially to a place where I was already stressed and burnt out, has made recovery slow (and healing a brain injury is already slow).
But if there's one thing I can say for having a life-threatening accident, it really clarifies a lot of things. For years, when encouraging other people to take necessary career risks to make a fulfilling life for themselves, I have used the example of “what if you wait to live the life you want, and then you get hit by a car?” and then, THAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO ME.
So, if you'd like to support me, HIRE ME! Here's a few things I do:
I speak about things like the search for life in the universe, the social impacts of space exploration, activism and organizing for academics, & more. I’m repped by CCMNT Speakers, and/or reach out to me directly by replying to this email, or via this form.
I also coach people on public speaking and various aspects of career development. I have two taster workshops in the coming week if you want to get a flavor for my work, tomorrow and the Tuesday following: notnotrocketscience.com/workshops
You can hire me to coach you individually, as Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein did for her recent TED talk! I'm also available for group professional development workshops at your institution. Drop me a line and we can make a program that suits you: notnotrocketscience.com/contact
Are you looking to create innovative, impactful outreach and education programs? Hire me as a consultant! I have 15+ years of experience creating and running outreach programs for a wide variety of audiences in lots of different formats. Let’s make something fun together! notnotrocketscience.com/contact
Thanks to everyone who's supported me in taking this leap. To borrow some phrasing from one of those friends, with that support I'm maybe less leaping, and more being carried.
In solidarity to the stars,
Lucianne