Dr. Joshua Graff Zivin

Professor

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Biography

Joshua Graff Zivin holds the CGT Endowed Chair in Technology Policy at the University of California, San Diego, where he also directs the Peter F. Cowhey Center for Global Transformation. His research primarily focuses on the intersection of environmental economics, public policy, and scientific innovation. He has made significant contributions to understanding how environmental factors influence health and economic outcomes. Collaborating with colleagues, he has explored how environmental stressors and regulations affect human capital and productivity, highlighting the role of the environment in economic growth. Graff Zivin has also co-developed innovative methodologies to assess scientific productivity and creativity, thus advancing the empirical understanding of the effects of social and institutional factors on scientific knowledge production. A recipient of multiple prestigious awards, he has a rich academic portfolio that includes extensive prior experience at Columbia University and the White House Council of Economic Advisers. He earned his Ph.D. and M.S. from the University of California, Berkeley, and his B.A. from Rutgers University.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor

2008-01-01 — Present

University of California, San Diego • La Jolla, California

Professor holding the CGT Endowed Chair in Technology Policy.

Faculty

1997-01-01 — 2008-01-01

Columbia University • New York, New York

Served as Professor of Economics at Mailman School of Public Health and the School of International and Public Affairs.

Senior Economist

2004-01-01 — 2005-01-01

White House Council of Economic Advisers • Washington, D.C.

Advised on health and environmental economic policy.

Awards

#

Academic Senate Distinguished Research Award

2025-01-01

Requirements for University of California, San Diego

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Total
Required:85
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Duolingo
Overall Score
Required:120
Overall
Required:120
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in physical, biological, or earth sciences, mathematics, or engineering. Differential and integral calculus. One year of calculus-based physics with laboratory. One year of chemistry with laboratory.
Application Checklist
  • Statement of Purpose (max 2 pages)
  • Unofficial transcripts
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Application fee ($135 domestic / $155 international)
Specialization Notes

Administered by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Curricular groups include Climate-Ocean-Atmosphere (COAP), Geosciences (GEO), and Ocean Biosciences (OBP).