UC Santa Cruz has recently become a member of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), a nonprofit consortium of 126 colleges and universities in North America focused on research and training in Earth system science. This membership allows UC Santa Cruz to join a network that includes almost all academic programs in Earth system science across the continent.

Being a part of UCAR provides UC Santa Cruz with a variety of benefits, such as access to over 30 professional development opportunities. These opportunities range from internships that provide students with research experience alongside leading scientists, to fellowships that support the next generation of Earth system scientists, and even potential careers at the National Center for Atmospheric Research – a premier modeling center involved in the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

The UCAR membership aligns well with UC Santa Cruz’s strategic plan for climate change, sustainability, and resilience, as well as the university’s objective to inspire diverse students to pursue careers in science. Representing UC Santa Cruz in UCAR are associate professors Claudie Beaulieu from the Ocean Sciences department and Nicole Feldl from the Earth & Planetary Sciences department. These professors, with assistance from the Ocean Sciences and Applied Mathematics departments, led the membership application process.

Beaulieu emphasized the importance of UC Santa Cruz joining UCAR, highlighting the university’s impactful research and educational activities in Earth system science, including atmospheric science, climate science, hydrology, oceanography, biogeochemistry, and solar physics. Feldl expressed enthusiasm for the discussions surrounding Earth system predictability and stressed the urgency of making credible predictions about the future climate based on accurate observations. She also recognized UCAR’s role in promoting coordinated research efforts in climate science.