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United Nations International Resource Panel : Member

Institute for Sustainable Mining : Board Member

LEAD-Pakistan : Member of the Board of Governors

International Peace Park Expeditions : Board of Advisors

Society for Conservation Biology : Member

Tradition or Modernization? The Dilemma of Chinese Indigenous Communities

Land and deep-sea mining: the challenges of comparing biodiversity impacts

Natural resources modulate the nexus between environmental shocks and human mobility

Carbon-adjusted efficiency and technology gaps in gold mining

Transnational agricultural land acquisitions threaten biodiversity in the Global South

Earthly Order: How Natural Laws Define Human Life

Soil to Foil: Aluminum and the Quest for Industrial Sustainability

Mining, the Environment, and Indigenous Development Conflicts

Treasures of the Earth: Need, Greed, and a Sustainable Future

Saleem H. Ali was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts (USA) but grew up in Lahore, Pakistan until his college years, receiving his Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from Tufts University, and his Masters and Ph.D. degrees in environmental policy and planning at Yale and MIT, respectively. He is Chair of the Department of Geography and Spatial Sciences and the Blue & Gold Distinguished Professor of Energy and the Environment at the University of Delaware (USA). He is also a member of the United Nations International Resource Panel. Before embarking on an academic career, Prof. Ali worked as an environmental health and safety professional at General Electric Corporation. His laurels include being a National Geographic Explorer, with field experience in more than 160 countries and all continents; being selected as a “Young Global Leader” by the World Economic Forum and serving on the boards of notable non-profit charitable organizations including RESOLVE, Adventure Scientists and Mediators Beyond Borders International. His books include Earthly Order: How Natural Laws Define Human Life (Oxford Univ. Press) and Treasures of the Earth: Need, Greed and a Sustainable Future (Yale Univ. Press). Dr. Ali is a citizen of the United States of America by birth; Pakistan by parental lineage; and Australian by naturalization.

Environmental Health

Environmental Policy

Environmental Planning

Health and Safety

English

Urdu

Punjabi

University of Delaware Expert Profile

University of Delaware Faculty Profile

Google Scholar Citations

Nature Sustainability Blog

Sustainability Community Profile

Medium Profile

Wikipedia Page

Map Shows Where US Will Start Deep Sea Mining in the Pacific

Material Needs of Artificial Intelligence Eclipsed by Energy Debates

‘Natural’ Opportunities for Dialogue with North Korea

Sahel Conflicts a Growing Threat to Africa’s Sustainability Path

Texas congressmen angling to have deep-sea mined minerals refined on Gulf Coast

Arctic Science Diplomacy With Russia

Researchers suggest the climate crisis requires international minerals agreement

Earthly Order: ‘mercurial professor’ with urgent ideas on climate change

Why the Periodic Table of Elements Is More Important Than Ever

Beyond the Hype of Lab-Grown Diamonds

Radioactive waste standoff could slash high tech's supply of rare earth elements

Featured Speaker

Convener of Two Sessions

Invited Funded Speaker

Hennebach Lecture, “Beyond Resource Nationalism”

Invited Seminar

Developing a program on Minerals, Materials and Society

Creation of a Knowledge Hub on Colored Gemstones and Sustainability

Development of a navigator for the support of economic diversification in resource-rich countries

Myanmar’s Extractive Industries Transparency – A Benchmarking Study

Evidence Synthesis on the impact of extractives on political settlements and conflict in East Africa

a-year-in-the-spotlight-university-of-delawares-most-notable-media-mentions-of-2025

Experts in science, politics, and pop culture weighed in throughout the year from the University of Delaware.

Professor of Energy and the Environment Geography and Spatial Sciences; Biden School of Public Policy and Administration

Associate Professor, Marine Science and Policy

Associate Professor, School of Marine Science and Policy

Assistant Professor, Anthropology; Core Faculty Member, Disaster Research Center

Director, Delaware Environmental Institute

Professor, Marine Science and Policy

 In 2025, the University of Delaware had many exceptional media mentions. Here are some of the most notable. 

Science  coverage dominated   Where will the next big hurricane hit? Ask the sharks. (The Washington Post) – Aaron Carlisle, a marine ecologist, was featured for his revolutionary work  using sharks to predict major weather events.  Scientists could soon lose a key tool for studying Antarctica's melting ice sheets as climate risks grow (NBC News) – Carlos Moffat, an associate professor and oceanographer, spoke about the national budget and how it's impacting climate research.    These Katrina Survivors Feel Overlooked. Now, They’re Using TikTok to Tell Their Stories (Rolling Stone) – Jennifer Trivedi, a disaster researcher, spoke about why Hurricane Katrina was such a major story.   Malala Yousafzai, Migration and Sustainability (Forbes) – Saleem Ali, a professor of energy and environment, contributed regularly to Forbes on environmental topics.   Scientists went hunting for freshwater deep beneath the Atlantic Ocean. What they found could have global implications (CNN) – Holly Michael, a professor of Earth sciences and civil and environmental engineering, spoke about the history of freshwater.   Engineering Professor Answers Electric Car Questions (WIRED) –  Willett Kempton, a professor of engineering, joined WIRED to answer the internet's most interesting questions about electric cars.   Plastic shopping bag policies are actually working, a new study suggests (CNN) – Kimberly Oremus, associate professor of marine science and policy, was featured in several major outlets on the effectiveness of plastic bag bans.   Insects are dying: here are 25 easy and effective ways you can help protect them (The Guardian) – Douglas Tallamy, an entomologist, was featured in dozens of outlets for his expertise.     Political news coverage was front and center   U.S. Chamber of Commerce sues Trump administration over $100,000 H-1B visa fees (NPR) – Daniel Kinderman, a political science professor, was interviewed for his expertise on a lawsuit involving changes in work visas.   The government shutdown is over, but expect more fights and higher insurance prices to come (Delaware Public Media) – David Redlawsk, a political psychologist, discussed the recent government shutdown and what an end to it signals.    Wrestling Over Charlie Kirk’s Legacy and the Divide in America (The New York Times) – Dannagal Young, a communications professor, commented on how media reacted to the death of Charlie Kirk.   Consequences for colleges whose students carry mountains of debt? Republicans say yes (NPR) – Dominique Baker, associate professor of education, was quoted in multiple national outlets for her education expertise.    General expertise came in clutch   Why the U.S. struggles with passenger service despite having the most rail lines (NPR) – Allan Zarembski, a professor of railroad engineering, was featured in dozens of national publications for his expertise.   From folklore to your front porch: The history of the jack-o'-lantern (NPR) – Cindy Ott, an associate professor of history, detailed the history of this autumn staple in multiple outlets.     Nexstar Media Group buying Tegna in deal worth $6.2 billion (AP) – Danilo Yanich, professor of public policy, noted the ways the media giant duplicates work across networks.   Warren Buffett hired Todd Combs to take over Berkshire's portfolio one day. Here's what close watchers say about his surprise exit. (Business Insider) – Lawrence Cunningham, director of UD's Weinberg Center, was featured throughout the year for his business and economic expertise.   Enlighten Me: How to make your holidays truly happy (Delaware Public Media) – Amit Kumar, a professor of marketing, discussed strategies for finding happiness during the holidays throughout the winter season.   Students and their stories shined throughout the year   Networking: Is it what you know or who you know? (The Chronicle of Higher Education) – UD's career-development office, which assists students on their job journeys, was featured.   U of Delaware Creates Yearlong Co-Ops for Business Students (Inside Higher Ed) – A new partnership with the state of Delaware connects business students to local employers, with the goal of reducing brain drain in the region was featured.   Wilmington’s 'STEM Queen' earns national Obama–Chesky honor (The News Journal/Delaware Online) – Jacqueline Means, a management information systems major, was featured for earning a national recognition.   Vita Nova Restaurant Gives Culinary Students Hands-on Training (Delaware Today) – The student-staffed restaurant, Vita Nova, was featured.   Delaware professor transforms writing class by teaching students to use AI as the technology reshapes the workforce (WHYY) – Matt Kinservik, a professor of English, was featured for teaching students to use AI responsibly, exploring its capabilities and fact-checking tools.  Pop culture experts weighed in 'Stranger Things' expert at UD chats about Netflix show's appeal (The News Journal/Delaware Online) – Siobhan Carroll, an associate English professor, sat down with a reporter to discuss the latest season and how the horror genre is often a mirror of our real world.   “Horrendous And Insulting”: Backlash Erupts Over “Misrepresentation” In 2026 Wuthering Heights (Bored Panda) – Thomas Leitch, an English professor, said that “literal adaptations of classic novels are exceedingly rare, maybe impossible.”  Major changes at UD highlighted  University of Delaware appoints interim president to the permanent post (The Philadelphia Inquirer) – News of UD's new president, Laura A. Carlson, was covered throughout the region.   Retiree learning center gets boost with $1M gift for downstate OLLI classes (Spotlight Delaware) – a large donation to the southern Delaware chapter of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, was featured.   To speak with any of these experts in 2026 on these stories or others, please reach out to MediaRelations@udel.edu. Happy holidays and cheers for a bright and healthy new year!   

A year in the spotlight: University of Delaware’s most notable media mentions of 2025

soaring-gold-prices-could-bring-big-rewards-and-even-bigger-risks

 This week, gold prices surged to record highs, reshaping both the financial and geopolitical landscape. The University of Delaware’s Saleem Ali can explain the potential environmental, social and economic ripple effects of this gold rush and the opportunities and risks it creates. He says a controlled release of global gold reserves could help ease market pressure and mitigate the negative impacts.

Ali, a professor of energy and the environment, can discuss the following main points:

• The record gold price (which dipped slightly today) has implications for new gold mining projects becoming more financially attractive which could have environmental and social implications in those areas.

• Major gold trading hubs like Switzerland and Dubai will need to be more vigilant as gold will become more attractive for the illicit economy for commodities.

• We have major global bank reserves of gold even though the gold standard is no longer used to back currency. Some of these reserves could be liquidated to reduce pressure and negative externalities. Such a controlled release of gold reserves could help to manage the price rise.

Ali also serves on the Independent Governance Committee for the Dubai Multicommodity Center, which manages all of the gold coming into the United Arab Emirates.

To reach Ali directly and arrange an interview, visit his profile and click on the “connect” button. Interested reporters can also send an email to MediaRelations@udel.edu. 

Soaring gold prices could bring big rewards – and even bigger risks

a-path-to-fair-minerals-trade-researcher-champions-global-trust-model

University of Delaware professor Saleem Ali advocates for international cooperation on clean energy minerals

As the world races to build cleaner energy systems and powerful AI technologies, the demand for critical minerals—like lithium, cobalt, and rare earths—is soaring. But with this demand comes rising global tension over who controls these resources. University of Delaware Professor Saleem Ali, an international expert in environmental policy and chair of UD's Department of Geography and Spatial Sciences, is suggesting  a new way forward.

In a  new article published in Science, along with a United Nations policy brief, Ali and his coauthors propose the creation of a Global Minerals Trust. The article notes how the international plan would help countries work together to manage and share critical minerals fairly and sustainably—avoiding political fights, price shocks and environmental damage.

 “Without a shared framework, we risk deepening global inequalities, triggering unnecessary resource conflicts and undermining our ability to deliver on climate goals,” says Ali, who also leads the Critical Minerals and Inclusive Energy Transition program at the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health.

The proposed Trust would use independent checks—similar to those used in nuclear safety—to make sure countries are meeting environmental and social standards. Each nation would keep control of its own resources but agree to prioritize sales of those minerals at market prices so that they can be used for clean energy infrastructure.

The article builds on a TED Talk that Ali gave last year as part of the Rockefeller Foundation's "Big Bets" initiative.

Ali is available for interviews on the topic and can be reached by clicking on his profile.


A path to fair minerals trade: Researcher champions global trust model

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