May 13, 2025
Dear colleagues,
I am writing to introduce the UC Irvine Climate Collaboration, a campuswide effort to enhance interdisciplinary research, education and engagement focused on climate-related challenges. This initiative seeks to create opportunities for broad participation across campus and partnership with government agencies, non-governmental organizations, businesses, and communities. The Collaboration is charged with:
- Fostering cross-campus collaboration around UC Irvine's strength in climate and sustainability research.
- Supporting UC Irvine's carbon-neutrality goals.
- Raising the visibility of climate and sustainability initiatives at UC Irvine.
- Coordinating the development and enhancement of climate-related academic programs and community partnerships at UC Irvine.
The Climate Collaboration is led by Brett Sanders, Chancellor's Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering. A nationally renowned expert in flood modeling and coastal resilience, Professor Sanders brings a strong record of convening policymakers, agency leaders, and community stakeholders. He is a fellow of both the Engineering Mechanics Institute and the Environmental and Water Resources Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers. The Collaboration will be supported by a Dean's Advisory Council and a faculty steering committee.
The Collaboration is also launching a coordinated set of planning and funding opportunities open to the entire campus, described on the website. Faculty from across campus are encouraged to participate and influence the direction of the Collaboration.
Sincerely,
Hal Stern
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
Distinguished Professor, Department of Statistics