Scott Stephenson

Physical Scientist
Santa Monica Office

Education

Ph.D. in geography, University of California, Los Angeles; M.A. in geography, University of California, Los Angeles; B.A. in human biology, Stanford University

Overview

Scott Stephenson is an environmental and political geographer with interests in climate security and policy.  He served as an assistant professor of geography at the University of Connecticut from 2014 to 2019. His research explores future shipping scenarios for the Arctic with a focus on trade route analysis, extractive resource economies, and hazard risk mitigation. His work has received distinction from the American Geophysical Union, the Esri International User’s Conference, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and has been featured in media outlets such as New Scientist, Scientific American, and the Los Angeles Times. Since 2016, he has been an observer delegate for the American Association of Geographers at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties. He serves as an associate editor of the journal Polar Geography and on the editorial board of FOCUS on Geography. Stephenson holds a Ph.D. in geography from UCLA.

Research Focus

Previous Positions

Assistant Professor of Geography, University of Connecticut

Commentary

  • Snow-covered mountains rise above the harbor in Tasiilaq, Greenland, June 15, 2018, photo by Lucas Jackson/Reuters

    Engaging with Greenland

    Greenland's resources and geographic position would confer economic and strategic value to the United States. But its postcolonial history and unique governance regime complicate the prospect of direct ownership.

    Sep 23, 2019 The RAND Blog

  • Sailors and civilians assigned to Arctic Submarine Lab haul ice to be used for potable water during an exercise, March 15, 2016

    Will the Breakdown in U.S.-Russia Cooperation Reach the Arctic?

    Over the last few decades, the U.S. and Russia have often found common ground on Arctic affairs, at least in such areas as search and rescue and environmental integrity. The Arctic has the potential to remain resistant to tensions building elsewhere.

    Oct 12, 2016 Inside Sources

Publications