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About Us

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Our Mission

To produce breakthrough environmental knowledge and solutions that sustain people and planet today and for generations to come.

Our Vision

We can feed people, sustain communities and provide clean water while stewarding the environment.

The Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment is working toward a future in which societies meet people’s needs for water, food, health and other vital services while sustaining the planet. As the university's hub of interdisciplinary environment and sustainability research, the Stanford Woods Institute is the go-to place for Stanford faculty, researchers and students to collaborate on environmental research. Their interdisciplinary work crosses sectors and disciplines, advancing solutions to the most critical, complex environmental and sustainability challenges.

Working on campus and around the globe, the Stanford Woods Institute community develops environmental leaders; informs decision-makers with unbiased scientific data; and convenes experts from all of Stanford’s seven schools, other leading academic institutions, government, NGOs, foundations and business. The Stanford Woods Institute is pursuing breakthrough knowledge and solutions that link knowledge to action and solve the environmental challenges of today and tomorrow.

The Stanford Woods Institute is a part of Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability.

 

Affiliated Faculty and Researchers

Comprising about 12 percent of Stanford University’s faculty and research professionals, our 268 fellows and affiliated faculty are leaders in their academic fields. They bring expertise from across Stanford’s seven schools – business, earth sciences, education, engineering, humanities and sciences, law and medicine – to our pioneering work on environment and sustainability issues.

Woods Staff - Jasper Ridge Retreat

Our Staff

Our staff of dedicated professionals is the driving force behind the Institute's varied programs and initiatives. By providing administrative, communications, conference/events, external affairs, finance, human resources, program, IT/Web and other services, they support scholars across Stanford while advancing Woods’ external engagement, leadership and research funding programs.

Working in DC and Sacramento

Decision-makers need relevant, credible science that is understandable and actionable to make critical choices about the future of our planet. Woods representation in Washington, D.C., allows our faculty and scholars to play a greater role in providing this vital scientific research to policy- and decision-makers in government, non-profits, think tanks and other organizations. The office is a primary vehicle for connecting our latest environmental findings to the policy community, enabling Woods to serve as an important resource.

Woods in DC and Sacramento

Our Advisers

The Ward W. and Priscilla B. Woods Institute for the Environment is guided by an 22-member advisory council. The council is composed of members from a variety of sectors who share our research community’s commitment to seeking practical solutions for people and the planet. Council members provide valuable external perspectives, offer a critical review of the Institute's current academic, research, and outreach programs and plans, and provide insight and support for the institute's strategic direction and overall objectives. 

Woods Advisory Council

Practical Solutions for People and Planet