Scott L. Stephens

Scott L. Stephens is a Professor in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management (ESPM) at the University of California, Berkeley. He holds a Ph.D. in Wildland Resource Science from UC Berkeley (1995) and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Sacramento State University (1985). His research focuses on wildland fire science, fire ecology, and forest management, with an emphasis on how climate change and policy influence fire regimes. He leads the Stephens Lab, which conducts interdisciplinary studies on fire behavior, ecosystem resilience, and policy reform. Key contributions include advocating for prescribed burning and Indigenous stewardship practices to mitigate wildfire risks. Stephens has testified before congressional committees on forest health and has been recognized as a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher (2024). His work integrates ecological, policy, and management perspectives to address contemporary fire challenges.

Education:

• Ph.D., Wildland Resource Science, UC Berkeley, 1995
• B.S., Electrical Engineering, Sacramento State University, 1985

Research Interests:

• Wildland fire behavior and effects
• Fire ecology and ecosystem interactions
• Climate change impacts on fire regimes
• Policy and management of fire-adapted landscapes

Scientific Contributions: Stephens has authored or co-authored over 150 peer-reviewed articles, including seminal works on prescribed fire efficacy, forest restoration, and policy reform. His lab’s research has been featured in BioScience, Ecological Applications, and policy briefs for federal agencies.

Lab and Collaborations: The Stephens Lab collaborates with Indigenous communities, federal agencies, and international researchers to advance fire science. Notable projects include the Fire and Fire Surrogate Study (FFS) and the Stewardship Project, which advocate for integrating Indigenous burning practices into federal policies.