"Acceptance would make Harvard look rather good even though the chair is clearly unequal to that held by the eight men," says Geller. "When I won the MacArthur, I didn't receive a different amount of money than the men did."
She has also never been asked to hold an administrative position by the College, something commonly done by distinguished elder professors.
Although she currently serves as the director of the telescope data center at CFA--a position overseen by the Smithsonian, rather than Harvard University--but does not hold the title of the directorship.
The two men who proceeded her at the post both held the title of director, and Geller says that as long as she's doing the same work, she should have the same title.
Since becoming department chair two years ago, Professor of Astronomy Ramesh Narayan has been right in the middle of Geller's disagreement with Harvard.
"[Geller's situation] has probably taken more of my time than anything else," he says. He refused further comment except to say "negotiations are underway."
"It is not a good topic to talk about," he says.
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