Surface Processes at ISU

BENJAMIN T. CROSBY

Professor of Geosciences

Idaho State University

Email: crosby@isu.edu

Chilean Fulbright Blog - A Long Drive Home

I am interested in the processes that sculpt landscapes.

In particular, I am fascinated by how the Earth’s surface responds to climatic, tectonic and human disturbance. I explore how fast and through which mechanisms landscapes change their shape (largely rivers and hillslopes) over both human and geologic timescales. To accomplish this, I synthesize data from field observations, digital topographic analysis, geochronology, numerical modeling, physical experimentation and remote sensing. Strong collaborative ties with terrestrial, riparian and aquatic ecologists, hydrologists, biogeochemists and others enable me to explore arctic and temperate ecosystem sensitivity to changes in climate and land management.

Research alone does not fill my cup. I teach courses spanning from large-enrollment introductions to the earth system (through the lens of Yellowstone!) to highly focused seminars for graduate students. I am ever-striving to reduce lecture time and incorporate active learning activities into my classes. I also work to develop community-vetted, broadly-available geoscience curriculum.

As Department Chair since July of 2019, I have been responsible for managing our faculty and staff as well as overseeing the success of our students in BA, BS, MS, Certificate and PhD degree programs. I work full time to assure that our faculty and students are supported as they strive to advance professionally and personally as geoscientists. I procure and manage budgets for salaries, regular operations, capital investments, our motor pool, multiple facilities, student internships and student scholarships. I also manage various forms of program assessment from the level of our degree programs down to individual courses. Connections with alumni and future employers for our students have been a major area of growth for our department in recent years.

If you are interested in working together, I would love to hear from you.