Edmund Bertschinger

Professor of Physics
Research in theoretical astrophysics, physics education, and in equity, diversity, and inclusion in the physical sciences and engineering.
Research Areas
Astrophysics Theory
(617) 324-7319
Office: Ronald McNair Building, 37-627
Affiliated Center(s): MIT Kavli Institute for Astrophysics & Space Research, Program in Women’s and Gender Studies
Assistant: Thea Paneth
Assistant Phone: (617) 253-3718

Research Interests

Theoretical astrophysics: gravitation; cosmology; and numerical methods. Social sciences: mixed methods investigation of cultural change in STEM.

Biographic Sketch

Ed Bertschinger (he/him) is a professor of physics and affiliated faculty in the Program in Women’s and Gender Studies at MIT. On the faculty since 1986; he has served as Astrophysics Division Head; Physics Department Head; and MIT’s inaugural Institute Community and Equity Officer. Ed works actively to advance equity; diversity; and inclusion at MIT and through professional societies including the American Physical Society; American Astronomical Society; American Institute of Physics; and American Association for the Advancement of Science.

More info:

Ed Bertschinger, an American theoretical astrophysicist and cosmologist and professor of physics at MIT, tells us about his research and the various assortment of objects he brings and uses when he travels and does his research.
Courtesy of Inside a Scientist’s Suitcase/NSF | YouTube
In the news
K. Renee Horton, NASA scientist and past president of the National Society of Black Physicists, speaks with students at a recent physics conference.
In the news

Making physics and astronomy more welcoming to African-American students

Report co-chaired by MIT professor cites need for “sweeping changes” in academic culture.

Awards & Honors

  • 2021 // Everett Moore Baker Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching for his course “Science Activism: Gender, Race, and Power.”
  • 2019 // Innovation Fund grant from the American Physical Society for his project, “APS-IDEA: APS Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Alliance.”
  • 2015 // Committed to Caring Award, MIT Office of the Dean for Graduate Education
  • 2015 // Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science
  • 2013 // Outstanding Advocacy Award, Council for the Advancement of Black Students, MIT
  • 2013 // Outstanding Freshman Advisor Award, MIT
  • 2013-18 // Institute Community and Equity Officer
  • 2012 // Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Award
  • 2012 // Luis Walter Alvarez Award for the Advancement of Latinos in Science, SACNAS-SHPE-MAES STEM Consortium
  • 2007-13 // Physics Department Head
  • 2007 // Guggenheim Fellowship
  • 2002-07 // Astrophysics Division Head
  • 2002 // Buechner Teaching Prize in Physics, MIT Physics
  • 1998 // Fellow, American Physical Society
  • 1992 // Helen B. Warner Prize, American Astronomical Society

Key Publications

  • C.P. Ma and E. Bertschinger; “Cosmological Perturbation Theory in the Synchronous and Conformal Newtonian Gauges;” ApJ 455; 7 (1995)

  • E. Bertschinger and P. Zukin; “Distinguishing modified gravity from dark energy;” Phys Rev D 78; 024015 (2008)

  • B. Beckford et al.; “The Time is Now: Systemic Changes to Increase African Americans with Bachelor’s Degrees in Physics and Astronomy;” American Institute of Physics (2020)