Earth and Space Research (ESR) is a non-profit research institute headquartered in the U-District in Seattle, near the University of Washington campus. ESR was incorporated in 1995 under the laws of the State of Washington, and has tax-exempt status under section 501(c)3 of the United States Internal Revenue Code.
Our Mission: Increase societal understanding of the Earth system through scientific research and public education.
ESR is composed of scientists with a broad range of backgrounds in research and education, who are supported by a responsive management team.
We are primarily funded by federal governmental agencies including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Science Foundation (NSF), Office of Naval Research (ONR), and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and through collaborations with several partner institutions. Philanthropic and private entities provide some additional funding for research and education services aligned with our expertise and values.
Earth and Space Research (ESR) was founded by Gary Lagerloef and Robin Muench in January 1995 as a non-profit research institute, located in Seattle in the Eastlake area near the University of Washington. At the time, the founders worked in Seattle at Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), a very large for-profit company with broad research interests. Lagerloef had prior experience at NOAA, and Muench had carried out Arctic research at universities.
Their experiences led them to imagine an alternative environment for research. They envisaged a space that was collaborative, nimble, non-bureaucratic, and focused on excellent research. They also wanted a workplace that focused on providing excellent benefits and a flexible work environment to meet employees’ needs, while being cost-effective for competitive federal research funds. This led them to the idea of forming ESR as a nonprofit company.
Initially, ESR had four employees: Lagerloef and Muench; John Gunn, who had previously worked with Muench on Arctic oceanography; and Karen Haig as part-time office manager. ESR grew by hiring postdocs and established scientists attracted to the ESR research environment. A major expansion occurred in the mid-2000s when Lagerloef took on the role of Project Scientist for the NASA and Argentinian “Aquarius” satellite measuring sea surface salinity.
ESR’s head office has moved from Eastlake to downtown Seattle and now back to the U. District near UW according to the changing needs of research and administrative employees. Office policies have evolved to manage more remote employment as computational facilities have improved for large data management and telecommunications. During these changes, ESR has continued to provide the managerial oversight needed for scientists to continue to excel in oceanography, meteorology, glaciology and polar studies, and work to engage the public and expand our education programs.
