Benjamin Lee Preston

Benjamin Lee Preston is a Senior Policy Researcher at the RAND Corporation, Director of the RAND Center for Climate and Energy Futures, and Professor of Policy Analysis at the RAND School of Public Policy. His work bridges climate science, policy analysis, and equity, focusing on resilience, environmental justice, and low-carbon transitions.

• Ph.D. in Environmental Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology
• B.S. in Biology, College of William & Mary

Preston's research centers on climate risk, adaptation, and the societal dimensions of environmental change. He investigates how natural hazards impact infrastructure, the equity implications of climate policy, and the use of strategic foresight in emergency management. His work emphasizes systemic causes of vulnerability, particularly the enduring impacts of redlining and racial discrimination on environmental health disparities.

His recent publications reveal a strong focus on climate resilience, decarbonization pathways, environmental justice, and risk assessment for national critical functions. He has contributed to major assessments including the U.S. National Climate Assessment and the IPCC’s Fifth and Sixth Assessment Reports. His work often integrates interdisciplinary methods and community engagement to inform equitable policy solutions.

• Contributor, U.S. National Climate Assessment
• Contributor, IPCC Fifth and Sixth Assessment Reports
• Member, Climate Adaptation Task Team, Global Climate Observing System (GCOS)
• Board Member, Board on Environmental Change and Society, National Academies
• Advisory Committee, Climate Crossroads, National Academies

Preston has advised at the highest levels of government, including serving as Assistant Director for Climate Services and Adaptation in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (2021–2023). He has led initiatives to map environmental racism and develop tools for policymakers and communities. His research is supported by RAND’s internal funding and has influenced national conversations on climate equity, infrastructure resilience, and disaster preparedness. He has collaborated with community organizations in cities like Elizabeth, New Jersey, and San Diego, California, to advance environmental justice through participatory research.

He leads the RAND Center for Climate and Energy Futures and previously directed the Community Health and Environmental Policy Program. His team develops frameworks for assessing climate risk, designing equitable adaptation strategies, and integrating scientific knowledge into policy decisions. Preston is also active in public outreach, frequently contributing to media and policy discussions on climate change as an existential and equity issue.