Research Themes Advancing Earth & Environmental Science

The School of Earth and Sustainability conducts cutting-edge research across nine major themes that address critical questions in earth and environmental sciences. Our interdisciplinary approach combines field work, laboratory analysis, and theoretical modeling to understand complex earth systems.

Our Research Themes

Ecology & Conservation

SES faculty lead research programs investigating biodiversity, ecosystem function, the ecological impacts of human activities, and strategies for ecosystem conservation and management.

Environment & Society

Social science and interdisciplinary research on natural resource management and socio-economic policies combining natural and social sciences to improve ecological and social well-being.

Past & Present Climate Change

Understanding climate system changes and interactions between atmosphere, oceans, biosphere, and frozen Earth to improve earth-system models and assess climate impacts.

Sedimentary Geology and Geomorphology

Studying Earth’s marine and terrestrial surfaces using field surveys, remote sensing, lab analyses, and numerical modeling in diverse environments including deserts, mountains, rivers, and coastal areas.

Tectonics & Earth's Interior

Study of Earth’s internal and surface processes, plate boundaries, crustal processes, and landscape evolution to understand plate boundary processes and tectonic evolution of the American Cordillera.

Water Management Policy & Science

Human impact on Earth’s surface processes with research on hydrologic systems in arid/semi-arid Western North America, including springs ecohydrology and environmental flow needs assessment.

Interdisciplinary Excellence

Our research themes represent the breadth and depth of scientific inquiry at SES. Faculty and students work collaboratively across themes, creating innovative approaches to understanding earth systems and environmental challenges.

Research Impact

Collaborative Networks - Working with national and international research institutions
Student Training - Graduate and undergraduate students participate in all research themes
Applied Solutions - Research directly informs policy and management decisions
Innovation - Developing new methods and technologies for earth science research

Funding Excellence

Our research is supported by major funding agencies including NSF, NASA, NOAA, USGS, and private foundations, enabling world-class facilities and field research opportunities.

School of Earth & Sustainability research projects span the globe

Explore the map below to learn more about research happening in our School!