Jim H Speer

Jim H Speer is a Professor of Geography and Geology in the Earth & Environmental Systems department at Indiana State University's College of Arts & Sciences. With over two decades of academic experience, he has established himself as a leading researcher in dendrochronology and environmental science, with particular expertise in tree-ring analysis, climate change impacts, and forest ecology.

Dr. Speer earned his Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Tennessee in 2001, following an M.S. in Geosciences from the University of Arizona (1997) and a B.S. in Geosciences from the same institution (1994). His dissertation focused on 'A new technique demonstrated in the southern Appalachian region,' establishing the foundation for his subsequent research in dendrochronology.

Dr. Speer's research spans multiple dimensions of environmental science, with a strong emphasis on using tree-ring analysis to understand ecological processes. His work encompasses dendrochronology, climate change impacts, forest disturbance ecology, and sustainability science. He has developed innovative approaches to studying fire history, insect outbreaks, and climate reconstruction through tree rings, contributing significantly to our understanding of long-term environmental change. His research often bridges disciplinary boundaries, connecting historical ecology with contemporary environmental challenges.

His recent publications demonstrate a growing focus on global applications of dendrochronology, with research extending from North America to Africa, Asia, and South America. Notably, his work has expanded into tropical dendrochronology and international capacity building, particularly in Africa through projects supported by the National Science Foundation.

• Audobon Society Award 2025
• Theodore Dreiser Distinguished Research/Creativity Award 2025
• 2024 Faculty Award for Community-Based Learning and Scholarship
• ResearchGate Top Three Most Read Faculty at ISU (2023)
• Dreiser Distinguished Research/Creativity Award (2017)
• Faculty Award for Community-Based Learning and Scholarship (2012)
• Henry Cowles Excellence in Publication Award, Association of American Geographers (2011)
• Outstanding Dedication to First Year Student Academic Success (2011)

Dr. Speer has secured numerous research grants totaling millions of dollars from agencies including the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, USDA, and USAID. His collaborative approach is evident in projects like the North American Dendroecological Fieldweek (NADEF), which has trained hundreds of researchers worldwide. He serves as Principal Investigator for multiple large-scale projects focused on sustainability, watershed management, and international dendrochronology capacity building. Beyond research, Dr. Speer is deeply committed to community engagement, serving as Chair of the President's Council on Sustainability and holding leadership roles in local sustainability organizations including the Terre Foods Cooperative Market and Ouabache Land Conservancy.

He leads the Dendrochronology Laboratory at Indiana State University, which serves as a hub for both research and education. The lab supports undergraduate and graduate research while collaborating with international partners on projects spanning six continents. Dr. Speer's fieldweek approach to dendrochronology training has become a model for experiential learning in the discipline, with specialized workshops conducted in locations ranging from Bhutan to Zambia.