Dr. Chris Field

Professor

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Biography

Chris Field is the Melvin Joan Lane Professor of Interdisciplinary Environmental Studies and the Director of the Woods Institute for the Environment at Stanford University. His research focuses on climate change, emphasizing solutions that improve lives while reducing future warming and supporting sustainable economies. Field's recent projects have highlighted the importance of decreasing risks associated with coastal flooding and wildfires. He has played a significant role in national and international efforts to advance understanding of global ecology and climate change. Field served as co-chair of Working Group II of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) from 2008 to 2015 and has authored several key reports on climate-related impacts, adaptation, and vulnerabilities. His scholarship has garnered numerous accolades, including membership in the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, as well as prestigious awards such as the Max Planck Research Award and the Roger Revelle Medal. He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Geophysical Union, and has served on various boards and committees, including the Board of Directors for the World Wildlife Fund.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor

2005-01-01 — Present

Stanford University • Stanford, CA

Professor in the Department of Biology.

Professor

2008-01-01 — Present

Stanford University • Stanford, CA

Professor in the Department of Earth System Science.

Director

2016-01-01 — Present

Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment • Stanford, CA

Director of the Woods Institute for the Environment.

Staff Scientist

1984-01-01 — 2002-01-01

Carnegie Institution for Science • Washington, DC

Staff scientist focusing on global ecology.

Founding Director

2002-01-01 — 2016-01-01

Carnegie’s Department of Global Ecology •

Founding Director, overseeing research on climate and ecosystem processes.

Assistant Professor

1981-01-01 — 1984-01-01

University of Utah •

Assistant Professor in Biology.

Awards

#

Japan Prize

2022-01-01
#

Stephen H. Schneider Award for Outstanding Climate Science Communication

2015-01-01
#

Roger Revelle Medal

2014-01-01
#

BBVA Frontiers of Knowledge Award

2013-01-01
#

Max Planck Research Prize

2013-01-01
#

Elected Member

2010-01-01

Courses

EARTHSYS 308 ENERGY 308 ENVRES 295 ESS 308 CSRE 234 EBS 234 ESS 234 HUMRTS 224 COLLEGE 106 EARTHSYS 213 CHPR 399 CHPR 290 EARTHSYS 297 BIO 198 ENVRES 398 EARTHSYS 250 BIO 300 ESS 400 EARTHSYS 199 BIO 290 BIO 199

Requirements for Stanford University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:26
Reading
Required:26
Writing
Required:26
Speaking
Required:26
Total
Required:100
GRE General
Verbal
Required:160
Quantitative
Required:165
Analytical Writing
Required:4.5
Overall
Required:4.5
Prerequisites
Bachelor degree from an accredited institution Strong background in mathematics and programming
Application Checklist
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Official transcripts
  • Resume/CV
Specialization Notes

The Computer Science department emphasizes research potential. GRE General is currently optional but recommended for some tracks.