Research and teaching
Clemens' research interests include astronomical instrumentation and the study of pulsating white dwarf stars. [6] In the early 2000s,he led the research team that designed and built the Goodman Spectrograph at the Southern Astrophysical Research Telescope (SOAR). [7] He teaches undergraduate astronomy and graduate stellar astrophysics as well as courses in the history of science. [8] As part of UNC's "Difficult Dialogues" initiative,in 2007 he developed a cluster course at the intersection of science and religion called the "Medieval Foundations of Modern Cosmology." [9] A Roman Catholic,he speaks frequently on the compatibility of science and religion,arguing that "science as we know and practice it is a product of a Western Christian culture." [10] [11]
In 2017 Clemens used his astronomical experience to design the Baldachin in the Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral in Raleigh,North Carolina. [12] Clemens created a design that depicts the night sky as it appeared on Easter Sunday in the year 33,the likely date of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Using astronomy to study time has been a theme of Clemens' instruction at the University of North Carolina. [13]
Work at UNC Chapel Hill
At UNC,Clemens has served as chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy,Senior Associate Dean of Natural Sciences,Senior Associate Dean of Research and Innovation,founding director of the Institute for Convergent Science and founding director of the Program for Public Discourse. [14] [15]
Clemens has served as faculty sponsor for several UNC student organizations,some of them controversial,adhering to the AAUP's Joint Statement on the Rights and Freedoms of Students principle that "institutional recognition should not be withheld or withdrawn solely because of the inability of a student organization to secure an adviser." [16] He and other faculty sponsored UNC College Republicans and Carolina Review. [17]
Tenure as Provost
Clemens was appointed to the position of Provost in December 2021 in a move described as "shrouded in secrecy" by WUNC North Carolina Public Radio. [4] [21] [22] In his term as Provost,UNC has launched two new schools,the School of Data Science and Society [23] and the School of Civic Life and Leadership. [24] He has been an advocate for academic freedom and freedom of the intellect,and has hosted conservative-leaning climate change skeptics,Steve Koonin and Roger Pielke,Jr.,in a Steamboat Institute sponsored debate. [25] In May 2024 it was revealed that the business school had secretly recorded a professor. [26] As of July 2024,Clemens has said he will work with faculty to develop a "transparent policy for the use of video cameras in classrooms." [27] He stepped down in May 2025. [1]
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