Emlyn Koster

Initially a geologist engaged in research and teaching, his focus shifted to the greater possibility of museums in the natural history and science-technology realms to illuminate the challenges and opportunities surrounding society and the environment. After launching operations at the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology in Alberta and overseeing a content and profile facelift of the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto, he became President and CEO of Liberty Science Center, situated on the Jersey City waterfront opposite lower Manhattan, in 1996. Here, he has been at the helm of its journey of increasing regional relevancy, major expansion and total renewal. Its unique learning resources include live student videoconferences with operating room teams conducting cardiac, brain/back, kidney transplant and minimally invasive robotic surgeries at regional hospitals. His service to the field includes chairing the board of the Maryland-based Institute for Learning Innovation. He recently stepped down from his position as CEO, and is currently the Director of the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. His honors include a Chevalier Medal from France’s l’Ordre des Palmes Academique, Humanitarian Award from the American Conference on Diversity, Recognition Award from the American-Arab New Jersey Anti-Discrimination Committee, and Chairman’s Award from the New Jersey Research and Development Council for the state-wide educational and economic development impact of Liberty Science Center. Amplifying his more than sixty articles that have shaped the advancing philosophy and practice of relevancy in the science museum field, invited keynotes have been across Canada and the United States, as well as in Australia, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Japan, Mexico, Taiwan, and Thailand. His media profile includes The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.