Dr. Vladimir Bozhilov is an accomplished astronomer, educator, and passionate science communicator. With a Ph.D. in Astronomy since 2014, Dr. Bozhilov holds the esteemed position of Associate Professor at the Department of Astronomy, Faculty of Physics at Sofia University, Bulgaria. Notably, since 2017, he has been serving as a Horizon 2020 National Contact Point for the “Science with and for Society” Programme, further contributing to the advancement of science and society.
Dr. Bozhilov’s expertise spans a diverse array of fascinating scientific fields. His primary focus revolves around active galactic nuclei (AGN) – exploring quasars and blazars at high redshift, unravelling the intricacies of cosmology, and delving into the captivating world of exoplanets and habitability. Sharing his knowledge and passion for astronomy, he plays a crucial role in teaching M.Sc. courses like “Science Communication in Astronomy” and “Practical Science Communication in Astronomy” as part of the innovative interdisciplinary Master program “Astronomy and Popularization of Astronomy” at the Faculty of Physics, University of Sofia.
Beyond his academic pursuits, Dr. Bozhilov is a dedicated science communicator with an impressive track record. With over 150 media appearances on radio and TV, he captivates audiences through engaging discussions on scientific topics. He actively participates in science communication events, including the prestigious Sofia Science Festival and the European Researchers Night, among others. Notably, he received second prize in the FameLab 2010 competition for his exceptional ability to communicate popular science and went on to win first prize in the Hall of FameLab International 2014 in London, UK, further cementing his position as an outstanding communicator.
Dr. Bozhilov is also a prolific writer, contributing his expertise to over 80 articles in various Bulgarian popular science magazines. Additionally, he co-authored a captivating book on exoplanets and habitability titled “Life and Universe,” which garnered attention and praise from readers.
His dedication to educating and inspiring young minds is evident through his role as a lecturer and science expert at the esteemed Children’s Science Center “Muzeiko” – the largest science museum for kids in Bulgaria and Eastern Europe since 2015. Furthermore, Dr. Bozhilov has played significant editorial roles, serving as the Science Editor (2012-2014) and then the Editor-in-Chief (2014-2018) for the highly-regarded “BBC Knowledge Bulgaria/BBC FOCUS/ScienceWorld” magazine.
Dr. Vladimir Bozhilov’s passion for astronomy, commitment to education, and remarkable science communication skills have left an indelible mark on the scientific community and society as a whole.