Dr. Luke Leisman
Seeking hope and a better world.
Cornell PhD astronomer with over 15 years’ experience, teaching, data wrangling, and seeking truth. I’m a writer who codes, and a scientist still searching for God. I want a planet that’s a little more brave, a little more dignified, a little more good, and I’d love to work on that with you.
Come to a night of songs and science
Join musicians, scientists, and everyday people who wonder about our beautiful & terrifying universe at Banjo Astro After Dark.
Read: an astronomer’s notes on hope
Essays and zines that just might help us be a little more brave, a little more dignified, a little more good.
Learn & Explore with me
Tutoring in physics, math, astronomy, and writing. Workshops on wonder and songwriting. Sails, rides, and walks around Chicago.
Build a better world with me
Tools for seeing Chicago clearly, causes worth showing up for, and room for your idea: an event, a talk, a company, a cause, something new.
Things I’m building
- Chicago City Council map Understanding the City Council (2023–2027) through its ward map.
- CTA buses Is the 2025 Frequent Network helping ridership?
- Divvy & the ‘L’ Did the $5 Ventra–Divvy credit move bike trips to train stations?
- Housing costs Comparing the long-term cost of renting and buying in Chicago. Coming soon.
- Blanket Box A vending company I co-founded. I wrote the code that runs it.
- Leisman Consulting Data analysis for nonprofits, with Katelyn.
- ALFALFA survey legacy site An archive for the radio survey I did my PhD on.
- All my code on GitHub
Organizations I work with
- Better Streets Chicago Organizing for safer streets and better transit.
- House of Hope Former associate director. I still manage the website and volunteer.
- Active Transportation Alliance Member and volunteer.
- Sail Chicago Volunteer. I love getting people out on the lake.
- West Humboldt Park Parish Collective Community organizing for pedestrian safety on Grand Ave and neighborhood events.
Things I recommend
Good Books
- The Sparrow · Mary Doria Russell
- Learning to Walk in the Dark · Barbara Brown Taylor
- Everything by Annie Dillard
- Life After Cars · Sarah Goodyear, Doug Gordon & Aaron Naparstek
- The Anthropocene Reviewed · John Green
- Just Mercy · Bryan Stevenson
Living Life
- Jumping in a cold lake
- Working in the Cook County Law Library
- $1.50 cones at Cookie Spin on Mondays
- Jimmy’s Red Hots
- Oven grinders
- Urban Arrow cargo bikes
“What should young people do with their lives today? Many things, obviously. But the most daring thing is to create stable communities in which the terrible disease of loneliness can be cured.”
— Kurt Vonnegut
Background and Credentials
- PhD and MS in Astronomy, Cornell University · BS in Physics, Calvin University
- Assistant Professor of Physics & Astronomy, Valparaiso University (2017–2021)
- Associate Director, INMAS, University of Illinois (2021–2024) · Associate Director, House of Hope (2024–2025)
- Co-founder and technical lead, Blanket Box (2024–present)