Vakoch, Douglas A.
Interstellar Message Group Leader and the only social scientist employed
by the SETI Institute. He conducts and
promotes research on the cultural aspects of SETI
and is particularly interested in how we might compose reply messages that
would begin to express what it's like to be human. Supported by a grant
from the John Templeton Foundation, Vakoch leads the SETI Institute's project
to compose interstellar messages that may some day be sent in reply to a
signal from extraterrestrials. This message-making project describes the
evolution of human behavior and morality, with an emphasis on altruism.
Vakoch's work in SETI began over 20 years ago with his creation of interstellar
messages for communicating with extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI). He
also carries out research on the history of the extraterrestrial life debate,
policy issues related to SETI, and possible psychological and religious
responses to detecting a signal from ETI. Vakoch has a B.A. in comparative
religion from Carleton College, and M.A. in the history and philosophy of
science from the University of Notre Dame, and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology
from State University of New York at Stony Brook. Prior to joining the SETI
Institute, he conducted research on the evolution of speech perception and
therapeutic communication at Vanderbilt University. As a member of the International
Institute of Space Law, Vakoch examines international policy issues related
to sending messages to extraterrestrials. Through his affiliation with the
Department of Psychology at the University of California at Davis, he also
studies people's reactions to the detection of life beyond Earth. He is
a member of the International Academy of Astronautics SETI Committee, as
well as IAA Subcommittees on Issues of Policy Concerning Communications
with Extraterrestrial Intelligence, Media and Education, and the Arts and
Literature.
External site
BBC news story: How
would we answer the phone if ET called us?
Related
category
• SETI
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