Ernst van Groningen is Associate Professor in Astronomy at Strömstad Academy. He got his PhD in astrophysics from the University of Leiden, The Netherlands in 1984. After post-doc positions at the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh, the European Space Research and Technology Centre, Noordwijk in The Netherlands and at the Astronomical Observatory of Uppsala University, Sweden, he got a Senior Lecturer position at the latter institute. There he became Associate Professor in Astrophysics in 1990. His research mainly dealt with quasars and active galaxies. He has published over 30 papers in international journals. In 2000 - 2003 he was self-employed, working with his main hobby: long-distance running. After a short sojourn at the University of Kalmar in southern Sweden, he accepted a position as Senior Lecturer in Science Communication at the University College of Dalarna in Borlänge in 2005.

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Ernst van Groningen, Since January 2008, van Groningen is Programme Director for the International Programme in the Physical Sciences at the International Science Programme of Uppsala University. As such, he collaborates with universities in developing countries in Africa, Asia and Central America, and assists them with building up research environments, student and staff education, and contact with prominent researchers in the industrial world.  Since there is always a great need for experienced teachers in these countries, he encourages any member of the Strömstad Academy who is interested in lecturing in a developing country to contact him. This is a great opportunity to enjoy ones pension in a cheaper and hospitable environment!

In his spare time van Groningen does a lot of running and cycling, plays bridge,  occasionally brews his own beer, and plays the piano when nobody is listening.