Mark Svoboda

Mark Svoboda is the Director of the National Drought Mitigation Center and a professor in the School of Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. A climatologist by training, he leads his team’s efforts that connect science to policy, working with partners across federal, tribal, state, local, and international communities on drought monitoring, early warning systems, and risk management.

He is the co-founder and longtime author of the U.S. Drought Monitor and played a key role in
developing recommendations that led to the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), where he now serves on the Executive Council. Dr. Svoboda also contributes to several global drought initiatives, including advisory and leadership roles with the World Meteorological Organization, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Bank.

Widely recognized for his contributions to drought science, he is credited with coining the term “flash drought” and has supported drought-related efforts in more than 75 countries. He has authored more than 125 peer-reviewed publications, book chapters and guidance references and holds bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.