Fun bit: the last line of the initial message is not a "Pioneer engraving," it is a translation of how they would say, "Can we talk?" The two questions would be the same to them.

I do not recall having seen anyone comment yet on having a "Master of Fandom" on the ship. It is a more fun if somewhat less dignified title than "literature professor." Is his position normally part of the support staff, somewhat like a librarian or holodeck operator who helps with staff education and entertainment while off-duty? Or do research vessels typically expect to stumble upon bodies of fiction when engaged in astrophysics?