Martin Barstow is a Professor of Astrophysics and Space Science at the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Leicester[1] and the former President of the Royal Astronomical Society.

[2] Barstow's research is on white dwarfs, the interstellar medium and UV instrumentation.

[1] Having been a Councillor and Secretary for the Royal Astronomical Society between 2005 and 2013, he was elected to be the 89th President of the Royal Astronomical Society in 2013.

[2] After a year as President Elect he assumed the position of President in May 2014.

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