Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability

For life on Earth. Forever.

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A blueprint for mapping melting ice sheets

Stanford researchers have created an open-source tool so other scientists can make ice-penetrating radar systems at a fraction of the cost of current methods.

Read the blueprint story

The rise of plant life changed how rivers move, study shows

Research reveals that unvegetated meandering rivers can geologically masquerade as braided rivers, suggesting they were much more common in the first 90 percent of Earth’s history than previously thought.

Read the plant life story

Our mission

The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability advances knowledge, solutions, and impact through research and education to create a thriving, enduring future for humanity and the planet.

About the school

Building on Stanford University’s foundational commitment to improving lives, the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability launched in 2022 as the university’s first new school in 75 years. Departments create new knowledge and train future leaders. For life on Earth. Forever.

For solutions that enable thriving cities, communities, and nature. 

Civil & Environmental Engineering

For exploring planets to understand our world. 

Earth & Planetary Sciences

For new understanding of Earth’s interconnected systems. 

Earth System Science

For engineering the energy systems our future demands. 

Energy Science & Engineering

For creating environmentally sustainable social and economic systems.

Environmental Social Sciences

For turning signals into discoveries and solutions.

Geophysics

For ocean discovery, science, education, and solutions that sustain life on Earth.

Oceans

Institutes innovate across disciplines

For real-world solutions sustaining the environment, climate, and people.

Woods Institute for the Environment

For turning ideas into impact.

Sustainability Accelerator

More about the Sustainability Accelerator

Meet the Dean

“From studying how electricity can be affordable and sustainable for all, to designing future cities where people and nature thrive, we’re shaping a new paradigm for research, education, and impact, focused on humanity and the planet.”

Arun Majumdar
Chester Naramore Dean, Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability
Jay Precourt Professor of Mechanical Engineering and of Energy Science & Engineering
Senior Fellow, Precourt Institute for Energy

Meet the Dean

Research and impact

Stories

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The growing possibilities of unpalatable plants
February 11, 2026

Jennifer Brophy uses genetic tools to help plants adapt to climate change. Lately, she has focused her efforts on improving crops to reduce the need for chemical pesticides that can contaminate air and water.

Stanford Sustainability Accelerator
Agriculture
Study reveals the extent of rare earthquakes in deep layer below Earth’s crust
February 5, 2026

Stanford scientists have developed a new method for identifying rare earthquakes in the Earth’s upper mantle, under the continents. The research enhances understanding of how continental mantle earthquakes relate to broader seismic activity, which may lead to improved earthquake risk assessment and preparedness.
Earthquakes
Scientists break ‘decades of gridlock’ in climate modeling
February 4, 2026

Ripples of air known as atmospheric gravity waves can influence the polar vortex, severe winter weather, and long-term climate patterns. Using AI and machine learning, researchers have developed a way to realistically represent their effects in global climate models.
Climate modeling

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At the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, we are fueled by optimism, hard work, creativity, and a clear mission. Learn more about our community and subscribe to our newsletter.