Nearly three weeks ago, the world lost an icon and one of the few true rock stars of the science world, Professor Stephen Hawking.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Professor Hawking, known globally for theorems that revolutionised the contemporary understanding of black holes and the beginning of the universe, passed away at the age of 76, leaving behind a towering scientific and pop-culture legacy.
Though it may be difficult to quantify exactly what impact Professor Hawking had during his life, it is safe to say the world would be remarkably different had he never decided to pursue a doctorate in cosmology.
Following his diagnosis with motor neurone disease at the age of 21, he eventually defied all expectation and became world-famous for his decades of work, wit, and his wheelchair, with his idiosyncratic computerised voice. He inspired a generation of science boffins around the world at a time when many important breakthroughs were going unheeded in society.
Figures such as Carl Sagan were also key to maintaining the relevance of the sciences in society, but none developed the renown that Professor Hawking did.
However, whereas scientists in the past became household names only once they redefined humanity’s understanding of certain fields (think Einstein, Newton, or Darwin), the years since Professor Hawking’s rise to prominence have seen aesthetes such as Richard Dawkins, Neil DeGrasse Tyson and Brian Cox each achieve cultural significance for contributions to human knowledge.
The impact of the surging popularity of the sciences can even be felt in regional towns such as Yass. Take, for example, Yass High School’s recent focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields, which former principal Sandra Hiscock was devoted to improving during her tenure. Over the past year alone, Yass High has sent an experiment into space, celebrated a Victor Chang Award winner in Amy Kelly, and seen improved marks achieved for its HSC students. While these achievements can’t be directly attributed to Professor Hawking’s influence, it is impossible to deny that there is a scientific renaissance in progress, the effects of which are rippling globally.
So, while we farewell a legend of science academia who spent most of his years gazing skyward, his impact will still be felt here on earth. – ZAC LOWE
