Research Divisions
CIRES has increasingly been reaching beyond proven disciplinary science to address research in an interdisciplinary manner. This focal shift, when coupled with the distributed nature of its multiple affiliations, has presented a structural challenge that supports such an integrated approach. CIRES is thus maintaining a traditionally vertical divisional foundation while relying upon centers and research themes to foster a cross-disciplinary fabric. The reason for maintaining this dual character is because divisions facilitate supervisory and funding hierarchies while scientific themes facilitate the cross-fertilization of ideas. Each researcher falls uniquely within one of CIRES' divisions, yet can be affiliated with more than one theme or center. Divisions are relatively stable while themes and centers are more adaptive in responding to needs and challenges as they emerge.
Cryospheric and Polar Processes
Investigating how the world's frozen regions influence and respond to climate change.
Environmental Observations, Modeling, and Forecasting
Characterizing and predicting the state of the earth system.
Environmental Chemistry
Exploring the production, transformation, and transport of atmospheric compounds.
Ecosystem Science
Exploring Earth's biosphere, disturbance regimes, and global climate interactions.
Solid Earth Sciences
Exploring the processes that shape the landscape and alter Earth's gravitational field.
Weather and Climate Dynamics
Observing global processes that create weather and climate.
