Shawn Jackson

Shawn Jackson is Professor Emeritus of Physics at The University of Arizona. He earned an MA in Physics from Washington University in St. Louis in 1988. Prior to arriving in Tucson in August 2005, Jackson taught physics at various universities and charter schools across Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, and Oklahoma. At the University of Arizona, he served as Senior Lecturer in the Department of Physics, College of Science, delivering 18 different courses from the physics curriculum and teaching three courses each semester. His research specializations encompass the foundations of theoretical physics and astrophysics, with fields of study in astrophysics and cosmology. As a graduate student, he conducted astrophysics research under Dr. Jonathan Katz at Washington University. Jackson's commitment to teaching was profoundly influenced by exceptional mentors, including Dr. Jack Cohn at the University of Oklahoma and Dr. Carl Bender at Washington University in St. Louis, driving his focus on equipping students with a robust physics foundation for research and personal exploration.

Jackson has garnered significant recognition for teaching excellence, including the Gerald J. Swanson Prize for Teaching Excellence from the University of Arizona in 2021, the Distinguished Early-Career Teaching Award from the College of Letters, Arts and Science in 2010, and the Excellence in Undergraduate Physics Teaching Award from the Department of Physics in 2008. Further honors include Outstanding Faculty Member from the University of Arizona Mortar Board Senior Honor Society in 2008, Distinguished Teacher from the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars in 1991, and the Outstanding Teacher Award from Tandy Corporation for 1991–1992. His scholarly contributions feature key publications such as Katz, J.I., Jackson, S., “Predictions for Arc Polarization,” Journal of Astronomy and Astrophysics, 197, 29–32 (1988), and Jackson, S., “A Breakdown in Momentum Conservation - Comment #1,” The Physics Teacher, 31, 444 (1993). Jackson emceed the annual Physics Phun Night, captivating audiences with engaging science demonstrations.Professional Email: ssj@arizona.edu