UCSB Bren School

The Bren School is an interdisciplinary graduate program focused on research, teaching, and communit

05/22/2026

The Bren community showed up in full force for Dave’s retirement party! From former staff, to professors emeritus, to alumni (all the way back to class of 1998!), everyone was here to honor the incredible legacy of Dave Parker.

A theme that kept coming up was the importance of human connection. Dave’s incredible power to create positive change through his signature blend of deep listening, compassion, and timely, actionable advice has left a mark on over 2,000 students.

With the most deep and heartfelt gratitude, thank you Dave for your 30 years of service to , the Bren School, and the environment.

If you were able to make the celebration, thank you for attending! Regardless of attendance, we would love to hear your favorite Dave story in the comments below :)

04/29/2026

MESM student Daniel O’Shea made waves at the Seafood Expo North America in Boston this past March! 🐟🐋

From panels on tackling carbon emissions in seafood to conversations on the economic and trade forces shaping the industry, he explored the work he’s passionate about — sustainability in the seafood sector.

Proud to see Bren students out there learning, connecting, and diving deep. 🌊

04/28/2026

Big congratulations to Bren PhD student Simran Koul! 🎉🏆

Simran received the Jeanne X. Kasperson Student Paper Award at the 2026 American Association of Geographers (AAG) Annual Meeting!

Her research examines social vulnerability and its intersection with environmental risks, specifically how these risks are distributed across vulnerable populations in India. Using spatial data and national datasets of coal mine locations, she identified regions where marginalized communities face disproportionate environmental burdens.

Her work highlights clusters of elevated risk in major coal-producing regions and contributes to broader conversations on environmental justice, energy systems, and public health.

So well-deserved, congratulations Simran! 👏

04/24/2026

Tide pools🦀🌊, nature preserves🌿🏞️, hands-on curriculum 🛠️🗒️, and real mentorship🧑‍🔬🧑‍🏫

This spring, Bren PhD students are stepping outside the lab and into the field, mentoring 100+ high school students through hands-on environmental science as part of the Bren Emerging Environmental Scholars (BEES) program! 🌎

When young people connect with nature early, they grow into scientists, advocates, and changemakers our planet needs! We’re tracking every student, every field trip, every moment. Follow along with us!💚

04/07/2026

California’s wildlife through Olly’s lens 🦉📷

We’re featuring whose photography captures the wild spaces of California. While at Bren, Olly has been exploring campus corners and nearby trails, capturing wildlife and scenic moments along the way.

👉 Discover more on his page!

03/18/2026

A few more Bren moments and highlights from GreenBiz 26 🌎🌱

02/24/2026

This past week, a group of our MESM students attended GreenBiz 26 in Phoenix, Arizona. 🌎💡

Over three days, they explored the latest developments in decarbonization, nature-based solutions, and more — learning directly from sustainability leaders shaping the future of business and climate action.

As Dominique Changlee (MESM ’27) shared:

“GreenBiz was incredibly reviving. It was the exact reassurance I needed to see that the momentum for sustainability hasn’t slowed down — it’s actually gotten stronger and more resilient. It’s a powerful reminder that the fight is very much alive.”

We’re proud to see our students engaging in conversations that move climate solutions forward.

02/12/2026

A Saturday of climbs, camaraderie, and community. 🧗‍♀️

This past weekend, MESM graduate and PhD students spent the afternoon climbing at The Pad in Goleta with Alex Phillips and Kyle Meng. It was the second event in the Bren series connecting professors and students beyond the classroom.

From first-timers to experienced climbers, the group tackled routes side by side, shared tips, and enjoyed conversations on and off the mats. It was a day full of connection and reaching new heights together ⛰️☀️

02/10/2026

An evening of biodiversity, plants, and conversation 🌿🪻

Late last month, twelve MESM graduate students joined David Tilman for a garden walk as part of an ongoing Bren series connecting faculty and students beyond the classroom. Together, they explored more than 50 species of Aloes, 10 species of Cycads, and a diverse collection of climate-adapted succulents native to Santa Barbara.

As the sun set, the group enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, thoughtful discussion, and regional wines. An event bringing together plants, place, and the Bren community.

Photo Credit: Elena Nirgiotis & Bailey Smith-Helman

02/03/2026

📸 📸 Field work on Film 📸 📸 ———————————————————————— Ever wonder what our PhD students get up to on the weekend? This saturday led a group of students out to Big Sur for a series of tick drags. Check out these amazing photos she captured all while developing new ecological data! One of the many perks of Bren Research 🔬 📷 🌱 🕷️

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