معرفی
Stephanie Pfirman serves as Deputy Director and Foundation Professor at Arizona State University's School of Ocean Futures and is a Senior Global Futures Scientist within the Global Futures Scientists and Scholars program. She is also affiliated with the Earth Systems Science for the Anthropocene program and the Water Institute at ASU. With over 30 years of academic experience, Professor Pfirman brings extensive expertise in Arctic research, climate change education, and interdisciplinary approaches to sustainability challenges.
Professor Pfirman earned her PhD in Oceanography and Oceanographic Engineering from MIT/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in 1985 and completed her undergraduate studies with high honors in Geology from Colgate University in 1978. Prior to joining ASU in 2018, she spent 25 years at Barnard College where she chaired the Department of Environmental Science and held the Alena Wels Hirschorn '58 and Martin Hirschorn Professorship of Environmental and Applied Sciences. She maintained a joint appointment with Columbia University's Earth Institute and Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, and served as an Adjunct Research Scientist at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.
Her research focuses on understanding and responding to the changing Arctic, with particular emphasis on sea ice dynamics, the Last Ice Area, and pollution transport mechanisms. Professor Pfirman has pioneered innovative approaches to formal and informal education, developing educational games like EcoChains and leading large-scale NSF-funded education initiatives. She has made significant contributions to understanding the intersection between diversity and interdisciplinarity in academic careers, particularly for women in STEM fields. Her work spans multiple disciplines including oceanography, climate science, environmental education, and science policy.
Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on Arctic change, climate education innovation, and interdisciplinary approaches to sustainability. Her work increasingly incorporates game-based learning methodologies and examines public understanding of polar regions. She maintains a strong connection between fundamental Arctic research and practical educational applications, with particular attention to how climate change education can be made more effective and engaging.
- Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in the Section on Atmospheric and Hydrospheric Sciences (2010)
- Lifetime National Associate of the National Research Council (2016)
- Parent's Choice award for EcoChains card game
- Co-PI of NSF grant on ARC-NAV: Arctic Robust Communities-Navigating Adaptation to Variability (2019-2025)
- PI of NSF-supported Polar Learning and Responding: PoLAR Climate Change Education Partnership ($7 million over 7 years)
Professor Pfirman has led or co-led approximately $25 million in federal and agency grants spanning research, education, and human resources development. She serves on ASU's NSF-supported ADVANCE team focused on gender equity in academia and previously co-led Columbia Earth Institute's ADVANCE grant. Her leadership extends to national science policy through her service on multiple National Academy of Sciences committees and NSF advisory boards. She has developed innovative educational approaches through museum exhibitions, card games, and digital learning tools that have reached millions of students and the public.
Professor Pfirman maintains active research collaborations through the School of Ocean Futures at ASU and continues her involvement with national Arctic research initiatives. She plays a key role in connecting Arctic science with education and policy through her participation in national science advisory committees and her leadership in developing educational resources that translate complex climate science for diverse audiences.
