The University of Wisconsin selected three finalists for the position of the director of the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies Tuesday.

The finalists include University of California-Berkeley professor Steven Beissinger, director of the School of Geography and Development at the University of Arizona in Tucson Paul Robbins and University of California-San Diego professor David Victor.

According to Jean Bahr, UW geoscience professor and committee chair, a 15-member search committee chose each candidate following an application and interview process that began last fall.

The committee initially received more than 100 nominations from faculty and other individuals for the position, Bahr said. From there, the committee reviewed more than 50 completed applications.

Committee members then brought a number of potential candidates to UW for confidential interviews. After completing this process, the three finalists were chosen.

“I think the search committee is really excited we have three outstanding candidates,” Bahr said. “Any one of them would be an excellent choice to lead the Nelson Institute.”

Finalist Beissinger serves as chair of UC-Berkeley’s Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management.

Beissinger’s research includes both experimental approaches and advanced quantitative methods to address fundamental questions in ecology and conservation biology, often through the study of birds, Beissinger said.

“I am very honored to be among the finalists. And, oh yes, I have a great sense of humor and look good in red,” Beissinger said. “Wisconsin has a fantastic faculty doing research and teaching about the environment, and a long and distinguished history of contributing to the environmental science, activism and human welfare.”

Victor directs the Laboratory on International Law and Regulation where he studies how international regulatory institutions affect behavior, according to a UW statement. Victor received a bachelor’s degree in history and science from Harvard University and a doctorate in political science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Robbins, a UW alum, helped establish the School of Geography and Development at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Robbins’ research focuses on humans’ interactions with nature and natural resource management.

“It’s a really exciting opportunity,” Robbins said. “It’s incredibly exciting what’s going on on-campus with environmental studies.”

He said as director, it would be very important to vocally support the program and get the broader public to recognize the university’s efforts. He said the Nelson Institute is about connecting people who share a passion for the environment, expanding opportunities for students and helping faculty put together earth-shattering research.

Bahr said the new director will be a leader who can both continue to engage and support the Nelson Institute community on campus and enlarge that community off-campus, as well as initiate education and outreach.

The Nelson Institute, founded in 1970 and renamed in 2002 for former U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson, focuses on interdisciplinary environmental scholarship, education and community engagement.

All three finalists will visit the UW campus between February and March to meet with campus faculty, staff, students and other groups.  The meetings will include presentations open to the entire campus community.