Robert K. Kaufmann

Robert K. Kaufmann is a Professor at Boston University's Department of Earth and Environment. His research focuses on three core areas: global climate change, world oil markets, and land-use changes. He explores the human impact on climate systems, the interplay of geological, engineering, and economic factors in oil markets, and socioeconomic drivers of land-use patterns through satellite and ground-based data analysis.

Education includes a BS in Biology from Cornell University (1979), an MA in Economics from the University of New Hampshire (1984), and a PhD in Energy Management & Policy from the University of Pennsylvania (1988).

He co-founded First Fuel Software (acquired by Uplight), which develops energy audit technologies for commercial buildings using mathematical and engineering methods to reduce costs and carbon emissions. Teaching responsibilities include courses such as EE 250: The Fate of Nations: Climate, Resources, & Institutions, EE 555: World Oil Markets, and EE 712: Regional Energy Models.

Kaufmann is a co-author of the textbook Environmental Science, published by Trubooks, designed for undergraduate courses. The text integrates ecology, economics, and policy to address sustainability challenges, emphasizing interdisciplinary solutions and real-world applications.