Paul Robbins, Dean of Nelson Institute of Environmental Studies

Paul is the dean of the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he guides the institute in serving as a world leader in addressing rapid global environmental change. Paul is also strengthening the Nelson Institute's commitment to the Wisconsin Idea through the expansion of innovative service-learning and internship programs, partnerships across campus and with outside agencies and organizations, and with the sovereign Native Nations in the state now known as Wisconsin. Paul has years of experience as a researcher and educator, specializing in human interactions with nature and the politics of natural resource management. He has taught topics ranging from environmental studies and natural resource policy to social theory. An alumnus of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Paul previously led the School of Geography and Development at the University of Arizona, which he helped establish and served for two years as director.