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Hadfield to teach at University of Waterloo

In a statement, the university said Hadfield will take on “some
teaching and advising responsibilities in aviation and related programs”
beginning in the fall of 2014.

Before that, he will complete his participation in a research study on
why astronauts are prone to fainting spells when they return to earth
with one of the school’s researchers, Prof. Richard Hughson.

Hadfield will also deliver a guest lecture at the university on Dec. 3.

“We are delighted to welcome Chris Hadfield to the University of
Waterloo as a member of our faculty,” Feridun Hamdullahpur, president
and vice-chancellor of Waterloo, said in a statement.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for our students and researchers to
work with, and learn from, one of the greatest Canadians of recent
times.” 

Hadfield will be “cross-appointed” to the university’s faculties of science, environment and applied health sciences.

The university points out that Hadfield has a long-standing connection
to the school, including postgraduate work in the faculty of engineering
on aircraft fuel pump design. He was also the keynote speaker when the
school launched its aviation program in June 2007.

Hadfield, 53, retired from the Canadian Space Agency in May after his
most recent trip to space, which included a stint as the first Canadian
commander of the International Space Station.

He went from tens of thousands of Twitter followers to more than one
million by the end of his mission, after his tweets of photographs of
space garnered worldwide attention.

Over the summer, it was announced that Hadfield will publish a book
this fall entitled: “An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth.”

He also received a meritorious service medal for his accomplishments
during his last mission, which marked his third time in space. It is the
civilian version of the Meritorious Service Cross, which he also holds.