Funding astronomy is critical to our future | Michael Cowley | TEDxQUT

We live in a world faced with many immediate challenges relating to food shortage, poverty, energy and global warming. As a result, research to tackle these challenges receives a substantial amount of government funding. Despite this, I still argue that funding for astronomy is equally as crucial to our future. Astronomy is at the forefront of science and its long term benefits to society is undeniable. In addition to showing you the pretty pictures afforded to us by astronomy, I will also highlight these benefits in an attempt to convince you that astronomy is just as deserving of your tax dollars. Dr Michael Cowley is an astrophysicist and educator at the Queensland University of Technology and the University of Southern Queensland. His research – which involves cosmology, supermassive black holes, and the formation and evolution of galaxies – has taken him around the world and resulted in numerous publications in leading international scientific journals. As an advocate for STEMM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, & Medicine), Michael enjoys the challenge of taking complex topics and making them accessible to all audiences. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at

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