David L. Goodstein

David L. Goodstein

Dr. David L. Goodstein, Ph.D. (April 5, 1939 – April 10, 2024) served as Vice Provost of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) from 1988 to 2007, and was also on the faculty for more than 35 years as a professor of physics and applied physics. In 1995, he was named the Frank J. Gilloon Distinguished Teaching and Service Professor. In 1999, he was awarded the Oersted Medal of the American Association of Physics Teachers, and in 2000, the John P. McGovern Medal of the Sigma Xi Society. He served on and chaired numerous scientific and academic panels, including the National Advisory Committee to the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate of the National Science Foundation. He was a founding member of the Board of Directors of the California Council on Science and Technology. His books included States of Matter (Prentice Hall, 1975, Dover, 1985) and Feynman’s Lost Lecture (Norton, 1996), written with his wife, Dr. Judith Goodstein. In the 1980s he was Director and host of The Mechanical Universe, an educational television series that has been used by millions of students all over the world.

In recent times, while continuing to teach and conduct research in experimental Condensed Matter Physics, Dr. Goodstein turned his attention to issues related to science and society. In articles, speeches and colloquia he addressed conduct and misconduct in science, the end of exponential growth of the scientific enterprise, and issues related to fossil fuel and the climate of Planet Earth.