Jean Morrison

Jean Morrison is a Professor of Earth and Environment and Computing and Data Sciences, and inaugural Director of CDS Mentorship Programs. As director, Jean will lead two mentoring efforts. For PhD candidates, she will provide guidance to successfully navigate early stages of the innovative interdisciplinary PhD program through both individual mentoring and the DS 590 and DS599 Seminar series. For junior faculty, she will provide guidance and support through the early stages of career development in a novel interdisciplinary unit, deploying both individual engagements and select collective engagements.

Prior to her CDS appointments, Jean served as BU’s University Provost and Chief Academic Officer from 2011 to 2023. As Provost, she led the University’s academic efforts, including the creation of the current Strategic Plan (BU2030), the BU Hub, new online strategies and programs, the Center for Antiracist Research, and the Provost’s Arts Initiative. She was a professor at the University of Southern California for 22 years before coming to BU. Her scientific research focused on the evolution of the earth’s crust over time, deploying stable isotope geochemistry to understand the role of fluids in movements in the earth’s crust. While at USC, Jean also served in leadership roles including the Founding Director of the Women in Science and Engineering Program to the Executive Vice Provost for Academic Affairs. She received her PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1988; her MS from the University of Georgia in 1983; and her BA from Colgate University in 1980.