Here is a 3-paragraph summary of the blog post for mathopen.com:
In this guest post, Jess Werk, professor and chair of Astronomy at the University of Washington, shares reflections on leading an academic department in an era of rapid technological change. Werk brings a perspective from astronomy, a field that mathematicians may find particularly relevant right now because it has already undergone significant transformation due to the rise of supercomputers and computational methods.
The post reads as something of a manifesto for department chairs, touching on the responsibilities of academic leadership in protecting spaces where deep, focused thinking can thrive. Werk explores the idea of academic departments as "cognitive sanctuaries," places that should be intentionally designed and defended to allow researchers and students to do their best intellectual work amid growing external pressures and distractions.
The piece offers a thoughtful and personal perspective on what it means to lead a scientific department today, drawing lessons from astronomy that could resonate broadly across mathematics and related fields. For anyone interested in the intersection of academic culture, leadership, and the future of research communities, Werk's post provides an honest and engaging starting point for reflection.