SUBJECT:

Sixth College Provost

Following nearly three years of dedicated service as Provost of Sixth College, Dr. Naomi Oreskes has announced her intention to step down from her administrative post effective July 1, 2011 to focus more extensively on her research.

A highly regarded Professor of History and Science Studies, Dr. Oreskes has been a member of the UC San Diego faculty since 1998. Her research focuses on the historical development of scientific knowledge, methods, and practices in the earth and environmental sciences. Her recent work deals with the science of climate change, specifically on the societal framing and reception of the scientific consensus on global warming. Her 2004 essay "The Scientific Consensus on Climate Change," led to editorial pieces in prestigious publications including the Washington Post and San Francisco Chronicle, and was cited in the academy-award winning film, "An Inconvenient Truth." Her latest book, "Merchants of Doubt," co-authored by Erik Conway, has been critically acclaimed for illuminating the misuse of science to mislead the public on matters ranging from the risks of smoking to the reality of global warming to advance a political and/or economic agenda.She was recently invited to the state capitol in recognition of her breakthrough research in environmental sciences and studies on consensus and dissent in science.

Provost Oreskes has been an effective advocate for Sixth College and its commitment to interdisciplinary work, specifically on issues related to science, technology, and culture. Please join me in thanking Provost Naomi Oreskes for her strong commitment to undergraduate education and for her many contributions to the campus, both past and future.

Suresh Subramani Executive Vice Chancellor