BiΦ

[PhD, MSc, Author, Journalist]

• Simon Olling Rebsdorf (b. Odense, Ansgar’s Parish, 1971).

• Living in Hald Ege, Denmark.
• My congenial wife, Charlotte, and our cherubs, Dirch and Vigga, are my soul travelling companions.
• Where to find me

Curious and passionate, I enjoy creating stuff. Trying to stay open-minded, I insist on an explorative attitude to life and work.

Author of academic books on the development of modern astrophysics, on the concept of creativity as well as numerous peer-reviewed articles in scientific journals on topics such as higher science education and didactics, histories of physics and astronomy, organic food systems, potential paradigms/heterodox theories, and the concept of time.

Currently I hold an assistant professor position as researcher and lecturer at VIA University College. Working professionally for increasing the scientific literacy as well as the interest and motivation for science and technology has been guiding my career choices.

Until July 2020, I served as head of ESERO Denmark and project manager at the House of Natural Sciences. Former positions include publishing editor at Aarhus University Press, administrative head of a university pedagogy unit of higher science education at Aarhus University, postdoctoral fellow at Science and Technology, Aarhus University and Chicago University, high school physics teacher at Mercantec, information specialist at the International Centre for Research in Organic Farming – among other positions.

One result of the PhD was a monograph on the development of modern astronomy.

Interests/activities:

• Author – some books and papers (publications)
• Performing musician – musician in Pernille Dahl Trio (upright and electric bass)
• Music composition
• History of science and technology devotee
• Science communication enthusiast
• Armchair philosopher – in particular the phenomenon of time (it’s perception, physic, and experience), perception and neural predictive processing, the hard problem of consciousness, mind and body, science and religion, fate and free will, brain-machine interface(s), artificial intelligence, and not least long-term thinking.
• Math and physics geek – number theory, topology, Einstein’s field equations, spacetime as a manyfold, gravitation, …
• Book aesthete – reading before writing is a difficult but important practice
• I love puzzles and logical and creative riddles
• Handyman – I like wood building – but shouldn’t do it for a living

The Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen visited Denmark on the occasion of the ESERO Denmark Launch Event in November 2017 as a representative of the European Space Agency. After humbly asking for a joint photo – this is now my all-time favourite professional selfie.

MOOC Certificates

Introduction to Philosophy by The University of Edinburgh (Coursera). Certificate earned at Tuesday, December 11, 2018 – get certificate .

Philosophy and the Sciences: Introduction to the Philosophy of Cognitive Sciences by the University of Edinburgh (Coursera). Certificate earned at January 28, 2019 – get certificate.

Grants/awards

• Marquis Who’s Who in America listee – inclusion since June 20, 2019
• Jury Member, Edison Competetion, 2017, 2019
• Jury Member, Young Researchers, 2013
• Special consideration for position of trusts, September 2011, Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark
• The Faculty of Science Research Fellowship, March 2003-August 2004, Aarhus University
• The Carlsberg Foundation Research Fellowship, September 2001-February 2003.

Favourite Quotes

• The unexamined life isn’t worth living /Socrates
• If you judge, investigate /Seneca
• Nothing is more responsible for the good old days than a bad memory/Franklin Pierce Adams
• Superstition brings bad luck /Umberto Eco [R. Smullyan in 5000 BC, 1984]
• In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice.. /Unknown

Memberships

• Danish Science Education Research Association, DASERA.
• Danish Humanist Society, working for a society in which every view of life is equal, 2018-
• The Long Now Foundation, fostering long-term thinking, 2018-
• Vice Chairman of the Board, Hald Ege Høj, Fri- og Efterskole, June 2019-2020 (Board Member since May 2018)
• International Advisory Board Member, Climate-KIC/ OurSpaceOurFuture, 2019-
• Member of the Danish Society for the History of Technology, 2017-2020
• European Space Agency Advisory Committee on Education. Danish Representative, 2017-2020
• Hald Sø Boat’s Guild.