Jim Hurrell

Education

• Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science – 1990 – Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

• M.S. in Atmospheric Science – 1986 – Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

• B.S. in Earth and Space Science – 1984 – University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN

• B.S. in Mathematics – 1984 – University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN

Career Overview

James (Jim) W. Hurrell is a professor of atmospheric science at Colorado State University. He holds the Scott Presidential Chair of Environmental Science and Engineering. Faculty with this title are selected for their key roles in advancing research and education.

Jim's research focuses on climate, climate variability, and climate predictability. He uses empirical studies, modeling, and diagnostic analyses. He has authored or co-authored over 175 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. He has also contributed to dozens of other planning documents, workshop papers, and editorials. Jim has edited several books. He has been recognized as a Highly Cited Researcher by Thomson-ISI. His scholarly publications have nearly 50,000 citations. His h-index is 68 on Google Scholar. Jim has given over 260 invited and keynote talks. He has also given many other presentations at national and international conferences. He has convened about three-dozen national and international workshops.

Jim has served in several national and international science-planning efforts. For example, he has been very involved in the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP). His roles include co-chair of the Scientific Steering Groups for both the U.S. and International CLIVAR programs. He was also Chair of the Scientific Organizing Committee for the first WCRP Open Science Conference. He chaired the Climate Intervention Task Team and served on several other CLIVAR panels. He is currently an elected officer and a member of the Joint Scientific Committee of WCRP.

Jim has also served the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM). He is currently a member of the NASEM Advisory Panel for the Division of Earth and Life Sciences. He is also Chair of a new NASEM Committee on Attribution of Extreme Weather and Climate Events and their Impacts. In total, Jim has been a member of six NASEM committees. These committees have produced peer-reviewed reports on various topics in atmospheric science. He also recently chaired NASEM workshops. These covered Earth Systems Predictability Research and Climate Intervention in an Earth Systems Science Framework. In total, Jim has chaired, co-chaired, or served as a member on 60 professional committees. He has also held elected roles as President of the AGU Atmospheric Science Section and as an AMS Councilor. Jim has also given briefings and testimonies on climate science to both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives.

Jim is a Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society, the AMS, and the AGU. He is a recipient of the AMS's Clarence Leroy Meisinger Award. He also received the inaugural Warren Washington Research and Leadership Medal in 2021. He received the Outstanding Alumnus Award from the University of Indianapolis. He also received the Outstanding Alumnus Award from the Earth and Atmospheric Science Departments at both the University of Indianapolis and Purdue University. He also received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Purdue College of Science. Jim recently received the Art Corey Award for Outstanding International Contributions from Colorado State University. He was honored for his contributions to climate science by giving the Fridtjof Nansen Memorial Lecture to the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters. He was also awarded the Nansen Medal there.

Jim is a former Director of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). While there, he was also a Senior Scientist in the Climate and Global Dynamics Laboratory (CGD). As Director, Jim provided scientific leadership and vision for NCAR. He also developed and implemented the institution's strategic direction. He served as the primary NCAR liaison to the NSF and other federal agencies. He also fostered high-quality programs. He did this through consensus-building among NCAR staff and the university community that NCAR serves. Jim oversaw nearly 800 NCAR staff members and executed an annual budget of ~$175M from 2013-2018. During this time, he created NCAR’s first office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. He also oversaw the development of NCAR’s first strategic plan for Education and Outreach. He also envisioned and implemented the very successful NCAR Explorer Series. This series shares NCAR and university research with the public. It enhances the public’s understanding and support for the atmospheric sciences. During Jim’s 28-year career at NCAR, he also served as the Chief Scientist of the Community Earth System Model (CESM), Director of CGD, and Director of the NCAR Earth System Laboratory.

Professional Awards and Honors

• Highly Cited Researcher - Lifetime, Scholar GPS (2025)

• Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering, CSU, Art Corey Award for Outstanding International Contributions (2024) 

• Sigma Zeta, Distinguished Alumni Award (2023)

• American Meteorological Society, Warren Washington Research and Leadership Medal (2021)

• Senior Scientist Emeritus, National Center for Atmospheric Research (2019)

• University of Indianapolis, Distinguished Alumni Award (2016)

• Fridtjof Nansen Memorial Lecture (2011)

• Fridtjof Nansen Medal, Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters (2011)

• Fellow, American Geophysical Union (2010)

• Fellow, American Meteorological Society (2006)

• Purdue University, College of Science Distinguished Alumnus Award (2006)

• Thomson-ISI Highly Cited Researchers (first time in 2004)

• Purdue University, Outstanding Alumnus Award, EAPS (2004)

• American Meteorological Society, Clarence Leroy Meisinger Award (2001)

• University of Indianapolis, Distinguished Alumnus Award, School of Science (2001)

• Fellow, Royal Meteorological Society (2000)

• NCAR, Outstanding Publication Award (1997)

Professional Positions

• Colorado State University

  • Scott Presidential Chair in Environmental Science and Engineering (2018-present)

  • Professor, Department of Atmospheric Science (2018-present)

• National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)

  • Director, NCAR (2013-18)

  • Director, NCAR Earth System Laboratory (2011-13)

  • Chief Scientist, Community Earth System Model (2009-11)

  • Director, Climate and Global Dynamics Division (2003-07)

  • Senior Scientist Emeritus, NCAR (2019-present)

  • Senior Scientist, NCAR (2003-18)

  • Scientist III, NCAR (1998-2003)

  • Scientist II, NCAR (1994-98)

  • Scientist I, NCAR (1991-94)

  • Visiting Scientist, NCAR (1990-91)

• Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research

  • Visiting Scientist (1999)

Curriculum Vitae