The Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) is pleased to welcome John Deutch as a Distinguished Fellow for fall quarter, 2017. Deutch, who has held leadership roles in government, will co-teach a class with EPIC Director Michael Greenstone on the global energy and climate challenge during his time at the University of Chicago, among other activities.
“John has had a practically unprecedented career at the intersection of academia and government service. Beyond that, he is a giant in several fields, including energy and national security and his own field of physical chemistry,” says Greenstone, the Milton Friedman Professor in Economics. “We are most excited to have him be part of the University of Chicago community this fall because of his inquiring mind and seemingly unquenchable curiosity.”
Deutch is an emeritus Institute Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he has been a member of the faculty since 1970. He has served in significant government and academic posts throughout his career. Under President Bill Clinton, Deutch was the Director of the CIA and Deputy Secretary of Defense. Earlier, under President Jimmy Carter, he held several positions at the U.S. Department of Energy, including Undersecretary. While at MIT, he served as Chairman of the Department of Chemistry, Dean of Science and Provost.
“Complex energy and climate challenges require that technologists and economists work hand-in-hand and that they be part of policy discussions,” says Deutch. “Having spent my career at MIT and in government, I’m looking forward to pairing my perspective with Michael Greenstone and others at the University of Chicago. EPIC provides a valuable platform for sharing my insights with an interdisciplinary audience of future energy leaders.”
Broadly interested in energy security, climate change, and energy technology research, development and deployment (RD&D) issues, Deutch is currently researching fuel cells, alternative transportation fuels, unconventional oil and gas production and solar photovoltaics. The common feature of this work is the integration of technical, economic, environmental, and political aspects of these issues.
While at the University of Chicago, Deutch will serve as a visiting professor in the College. There, he will co-teach with Greenstone a new undergraduate course on the “Global Energy and Climate Challenge: Economics, Science & Policy.” The course will integrate technical and economic analysis to develop an understanding of energy, environment and climate policy challenges. Deutch will also participate in workshops and public discussions, as well as serve as a resource for students and EPIC more broadly.