Dr. David Keith

Biography

David Keith works at the intersection of climate science, energy technology, and public policy since 1990. He has received notable accolades including Canada's national physics prize and MIT’s prize for excellence in experimental physics, as well as being recognized by TIME Magazine as a Hero of the Environment. As a Professor in the Department of Geophysical Sciences at the University of Chicago and a founding faculty member, he also directs the Climate Systems Engineering Initiative. Keith is known for his contributions to solar geoengineering and led the development of Harvard’s Solar Geoengineering Research Program before moving to Chicago in 2023. His policy work has addressed issues such as electricity markets, carbon pricing, and public perceptions of risky technologies. His hardware contributions include the development of interferometers for atoms, high-accuracy infrared spectrometers for NASA's ER-2, and an air contactor for Carbon Engineering, a company he founded that focuses on CO2 capture from ambient air. Additionally, he teaches courses on science, technology policy, and climate science, impacting over 150,000 students through his energy course on edX. Keith has authored over 200 academic publications, with citations exceeding 20,000, and has written public op-eds on climate engineering.

Research Interests