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David G. Groves

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Codirector, RAND Water and Climate Resilience Center; Senior Policy Researcher; Professor, Pardee RAND Graduate School
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Education

Ph.D. in policy analysis, Pardee RAND Graduate School; M.S. in atmospheric sciences, University of Washington; M.S. in earth systems, Stanford University; B.S. in geological and environmental sciences, Stanford University

Media Resources

This researcher is available for interviews.

To arrange an interview, contact the RAND Office of Media Relations at (310) 451-6913, or email media@rand.org.

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Overview

David Groves is codirector of the RAND Water and Climate Resilience Center, a senior policy researcher at the RAND Corporation, and a professor at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. He is a key developer of new methods for decisionmaking under deep uncertainty, and works directly with natural resources managers worldwide to improve planning for the uncertain future. His primary practice areas include water resources management and coastal resilience planning, with an emphasis on climate adaptation and resilience.

Groves has worked with major water agencies throughout the United States, including the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, California Department of Water Resources, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, and Denver Water, helping them to address climate variability and change in their planning. He also works internationally, most recently in China, Peru, and Mexico.

Groves also works on coastal sustainability issues, most notably in the San Francisco Bay Delta, South Florida, and Coastal Louisiana. For example, he led the RAND team that developed the planning framework and decision support tool used to formulate Louisiana’s 50-year, $50 billion Coastal Master Plan. 

In 2007, he received RAND's Silver Medal Award for his work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineering, helping to improve the treatment of risk and uncertainty in their long-term planning studies. In 2009, he received RAND's Gold Medal Award for his work on water resources planning. In 2012, he received RAND's President's Choice Award for his work helping develop Louisiana's Coastal Master Plan. 

Groves received his Ph.D. in policy analysis from the Pardee RAND Graduate School.

Research Focus

Recent Projects

  • Developing a planning framework and decision support tool for Louisiana's Coastal Master Plan
  • Evaluation of the Jinan City Water Ecological Development Implementation Plan and Recommendations for Improvement
  • San Francisco Bay Area Delta Levee Strategy Risk Analysis and Decision Support Tool
  • Evaluating South Florida's climate vulnerability and adaptation opportunities
  • Evaluating the robustness of Metropolitan Water District's Integrated Resources Plan to climate change and other future uncertainties

Honors & Awards

  • President's Choice Award, RAND Corporation
  • Gold Medal Award, RAND Corporation
  • Silver Medal Award, RAND Corporation

Commentary

  • The coastline in the Miraflores district of Lima, Peru

    Ensuring Robust Water Management Strategies in Lima-Callão, Peru

    Water resource agencies around the world are grappling with how to make smart investments to ensure long-term water reliability at a time of unprecedented water stress, growing demands, uncertain climate change, and limited budgets.

    Nov 16, 2015 The World Bank Water Blog

  • Navajo Bridge over Colorado River

    New Colorado River Basin Study Examines Tremendous Challenges of the Coming 50 Years

    Growing water needs combined with uncertain but possibly deteriorating future hydrologic conditions could stress the Colorado River system in the coming 50 years.

    Dec 18, 2012

  • Morris Canal Park in New York City with portions flooded by Sandy's storm surge, at high tide.

    What Louisiana Can Teach New York and New Jersey

    The massive damage and disruption caused by “Super Storm” Sandy has created a rare moment when New York City, New Jersey and surrounding areas are singularly focused on the infrastructure they need in a changing environment – not just the infrastructure they already have thanks to the vision and investments of past generations.

    Nov 8, 2012 CNN

  • Aerial photos of New Jersey coastline in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy

    In Wake of Hurricane Sandy, Look to Louisiana for Lessons

    Just as public agencies across the country conducted terrorism risk assessments in the wake of 9/11, a comprehensive infrastructure assessment may be in order to understand natural hazard risks and the potential exacerbating effects of climate change, write Gary Cecchine, David Groves, and Jordan Fischbach.

    Nov 1, 2012 The RAND Blog

  • Sunset over New Orleans and the Mississippi River

    Bringing Sustainability to the Louisiana Coast

    Policy Researcher David Groves describes RAND's role in helping to develop a plan to guide Louisiana's coastal investments, help its coastal citizens plan for the future, and create a sustainable coast.

    Jun 7, 2012

Publications