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 and the Scott Presidential Chair of Environmental Science and Engineering at Colorado State University. Faculty named to Presidential Chair positions are selected for their key roles in advancing research and educational programs. Jim’s research has centered on empirical and modeling studies and diagnostic analyses to better understand climate, climate variability, and climate predictability. He has authored or co-authored more than 175 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, as well as dozens of other planning documents, workshop papers, and editorials. Jim has edited several books, and he has been acknowledged as a Highly Cited Researcher by Thomson-ISI. His scholarly publications have garnered nearly 50,000 citations, and his h-index is 68 (Google Scholar). Jim has given more than 260 professional invited and keynote talks, as well as many other contributed presentations at national and international conferences, and he has convened around three-dozen national and international workshops.

Jim has served several national and international science-planning efforts. For instance, he has been extensively involved in the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), including roles as co-chair of the Scientific Steering Groups of both the U.S. and International CLIVAR (Climate Variability and Predictability) research programs, Chair of the Scientific Organizing Committee for the first WCRP Open Science Conference, Chair of the Climate Intervention Task Team, and membership on several other CLIVAR panels. He is currently a member and an elected officer of the Joint Scientific Committee of WCRP. Jim has also served the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) extensively. He is currently a member of the NASEM Advisory Panel for the Division of Earth and Life Sciences, and 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 that have produced consensus, peer-reviewed reports on a variety of cutting-edge topics in atmospheric science. He also recently chaired NASEM workshops on Earth Systems Predictability Research and Climate Intervention in an Earth Systems Science Framework. Overall, Jim has chaired, co-chaired or served as a member 60 professional committees, and he has served elected roles as President of the AGU Atmospheric Science Section and as an AMS Councilor. Jim has also provided briefings and testimonies to both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives on climate science. 

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 and the inaugural Warren Washington Research and Leadership Medal (2021). He received the Outstanding Alumnus Award from the University of Indianapolis, the Outstanding Alumnus Award from the Earth and Atmospheric Science Departments at both the University of Indianapolis and Purdue University, and 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. Jim was honored for his contributions to climate science by giving the Fridtjof Nansen Memorial Lecture to the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, where he was also awarded the Nansen Medal.

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

• 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