Lawrence Krauss, an Arizona State University Foundation Professor in the School of Space and Earth Exploration and the Department of Physics, has been elected to the International Academy of Humanists.

The academy, which includes Nobel laureates James Watson and Steven Weinberg, sociobiologist Edward O. Wilson and author Salman Rushdie as members, is limited to 80 persons. It was established in 1983 to recognize distinguished humanists and to disseminate humanistic ideals and beliefs. Once elected, laureates are members for life.

Members of the academy are committed to free inquiry in all fields of human endeavor, a scientific outlook and the use of the scientific method in acquiring knowledge and promotion of humanist ethical values and principles.

“I was taken completely by surprise when I received the news of this election,” said Krauss. “The mission of the academy is something I support wholeheartedly, and I was humbled to learn that laureates of the academy include such a remarkable group of individuals. It is an honor to be included among them.”

Krauss is internationally known for his work in theoretical physics and cosmology, and is a well-known author and science communicator. His research covers science from the beginning of the universe to the end of the universe. His research interests include the interface between elementary particle physics and cosmology, the nature of dark matter, general relativity and neutrino astrophysics.

In addition to being a Foundation Professor, Krauss is the director of the Origins Project at ASU, which explores key questions about our origins, who we are and where we came from, and then holds open forums to encourage public participation.

Krauss is the only physicist to receive major awards from all three U.S. physics societies: the American Physical Society, the American Institute of Physics and the American Association of Physics Teachers. In 2012 he was given the Public Service Award from the National Science Board for his efforts in communicating science to general audiences. Last year he was awarded the “Roma Award Urbs Universalis 2013” by the Mayor of Rome.

Krauss has authored more than 300 scientific publications and nine books, including his most recent best-seller, "A Universe from Nothing," which offers provocative, revelatory answers to the most basic philosophical questions of existence. It was on the New York Times best-seller list for nonfiction within a week of its release.

Krauss also wrote the international best-seller "The Physics of Star Trek," an entertaining and eye-opening tour of the Star Trek universe, and "Beyond Star Trek," which addressed recent exciting discoveries in physics and astronomy, and takes a look at how the laws of physics relate to notions from popular culture. A book on physicist Richard Feynman, "Quantum Man," was awarded the 2011 Book of the Year by Physics World magazine in the UK.

Krauss has been a frequent commentator and columnist for newspapers such as the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. He has written regular columns for New Scientist and Scientific American, and appears routinely on radio and television. Last year, he was featured with Richard Dawkins in a new full-length film documentary, "The Unbelievers," which is billed as a “rock-n-roll tour film about science and reason.”

Krauss also serves as a co-chair of the board of sponsors of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, on the board of directors of the Federation of American Scientists and is one of the founders of ScienceDebate2012.