Charles S. Cockell

Charles Cockell is Professor of Astrobiology at the University of Edinburgh. His scientific interests encompass life in extreme environments, the habitability of extraterrestrial environments and the exploration and settlement of space. He has previously worked at NASA and the British Antarctic Survey. His work has taken him to both poles and other extreme environments. He has published many scientific papers and numerous books, including a series on the conditions for liberty beyond Earth.

Popular science books include the 'Equations of Life' (Basic Books/Atlantic) which explores how physics shapes evolution, 'Impossible Extinction' (CUP), which explores the tenacity of microbes on the Earth, and 'Space on Earth' (Macmillan) which proposes the indivisibility of environmentalism and space exploration. He is also author of the undergraduate text book, 'Astrobiology: Understanding Life in the Universe' published by Wiley-Blackwell.