Ian Beardsley studied physics at the University of Oregon and worked in astronomical research at Pine Mountain Observatory for four years in the high desert east of Bend, Oregon. His name appears on several papers in the Astrophysical Journal.

Ian Beardsley is a Cosmic Archaeologist. He invented the field of Cosmic Archaeology. In part it strives to find the location of the earth and all its life including humans in the universe, not just physically, but metaphysically and philosophically. To determine how we got here, why we are here and where we are going. To determine just what our role is to be among the stellar community once we become a spacefaring civilization, and to determine what our purpose is to be in space. As well, to determine what the state of the universe is and means to the human situation and what humans are supposed to be doing, if anything at all.