Head of Department Shifts in Aeronautics and Astronautics: Steven Barrett Takes Charge
Fresh, reimagined take:
Steven Barrett, a trailblazer in the realm of aeronautics and astronautics, has ascended to the coveted position of department head for the MIT Department of AeroAstro, effective from Nov 1.
This educational powerhouse, renowned for his groundbreaking research on aviation’s environmental footprint, is a remarkable addition to the AeroAstro community. As expressed by Anantha Chandrakasan, dean of MIT's School of Engineering, "Professor Barrett's dedication to the AeroAstro family, along with his exceptional acumen as a scholar, makes him an exemplary fit for this role. I eagerly anticipate collaborating with him in his new capacity."
Barrett stepped into his role as associate department head in July 2021, followed by being appointed interim department head in May, filling the shoes left by Daniel Hastings. Hastings, who served as head of AeroAstro since 2019, decided to step down to assume the position of interim Institute community and equity officer, as well as interim associate provost for faculty development.
As head of the MIT Laboratory for Aviation and the Environment, Professor Barrett and his team conduct rigorous studies on the environmental ramifications of aviation. Their work has led to the development of innovative solutions aimed at curbing the impact of aviation on air quality, climate, and ambient noise pollution. Ultimately, their mission is to usher in technology that eliminates aviation's detrimental environmental effects.
In his role as associate department head, Barrett elevated the education standards for both graduate and undergraduate students within the AeroAstro department. He advocated for initiatives aimed at increasing funding for graduate students and played a significant role in the creation of the AeroAstro HBCU Partnership Program. Furthermore, he collaborated on the development of the department's digital education strategy, initiating a global revolution in aerospace education.
Since he joined MIT's faculty in 2010, Barrett has been intertwined with numerous programs across the prestigious university. Notable projects he's involved in include the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative, the MIT Energy Initiative, and the MIT Climate and Sustainability Consortium.
His research in the field has earned him a grant under NASA's Innovative Advanced Concepts Program and a Bose Research Grant. Moreover, his work on the first plane with no moving propulsion parts was hailed as one of the top 10 Breakthroughs of 2018 by Physics World. From 2011 to 2015, Barrett served as the associate director of the Partnership for Air Transportation Noise and Emissions Reduction.
As an undergraduate at the University of Cambridge, he embarked on a year-long study at MIT through an exchange program. He later earned both his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from the University of Cambridge before joining MIT's faculty in 2010.
Now, Barrett steps up to succeed Daniel Hastings. "I am incredibly appreciative of Professor Hastings' outstanding leadership, both as head of AeroAstro and as a beacon of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the School of Engineering," adds Chandrakasan. "His profound influence on AeroAstro and the wider engineering community will resonate for years to come."
- Steven Barrett, a scholar in the field of aeronautics and astronautics, graduated from the University of Cambridge with both his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
- As head of the MIT Laboratory for Aviation and the Environment, Barrett has been involved in extensive research on the environmental impact of transportation, particularly aviation.
- His groundbreaking research on aviation's environmental footprint has led to numerous breakthroughs in the field of sciences, such as the development of technology aimed at mitigating aviation's impact on air quality, climate, and noise pollution.
- Barrett's dedication to the environment extends to his role as associate department head at MIT's AeroAstro department, where he advocated for initiatives to increase funding for graduate students and played a significant role in the creation of the AeroAstro HBCU Partnership Program.
- The mission of Barrett's research team is to develop technology that eliminates aviation's detrimental environmental effects, contributing to the broader goal of sustainability in energy and climate policies.
- Under Barrett's leadership, the MIT AeroAstro department has also focused on digital education strategies, aiming to initiate a global revolution in aerospace education for both graduate and undergraduate students.
- Barrett's innovative research has earned him recognition and funding from esteemed institutions, including grants from NASA's Innovative Advanced Concepts Program and the Bose Research Grant.
- In recognition of his work, Physics World named one of Barrett's projects, the development of the first plane with no moving propulsion parts, as one of the top 10 Breakthroughs of 2018 in the field of physics.
- Prior to joining MIT's faculty in 2010, Barrett participated in an exchange program at MIT as an undergraduate student, a precursor to his future involvement in various MIT programs, such as the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative, the MIT Energy Initiative, and the MIT Climate and Sustainability Consortium.
- As Barrett steps up to succeed Daniel Hastings as department head of MIT's AeroAstro department, he carries on Hastings' legacy as a champion for diversity, equity, and inclusion within the School of Engineering and the broader engineering community.
