Scott Montgomery

Scott Montgomery

Scott L. Montgomery is an author, geoscientist, and affiliate faculty member in the Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington, Seattle. He has 25 years' experience in the energy industry, where he worked on projects in many parts of the world. His many technical publications include papers, monographs, articles, and textbooks, mainly focused on cutting edge hydrocarbon plays, technologies, related impacts and issues.

Since 2010, his energy writings have moved to general audiences and a wide variety of topics of global concern. These have ranged from climate change to fracking, and included energy issues, technologies, and geopolitics in most parts of the world, as well as global trends and their relation to demographics. Scott’s writings have appeared in online journals such as The Conversation, Newsweek, Salon, Forbes, Fortune, and The Huffington Post. He also lectures publicly on these subjects and provides commentary for online and broadcast (radio, tv) venues both in the U.S. and internationally.

In addition to his popular writing and speaking, Montgomery has published 12 books on a range of subjects, including energy. These include, most recently, Seeing the Light: Making the Case for Nuclear Power in the 21st Century (Cambridge, 2017) and The Shape of the New: Four Big Ideas and How They Built the Modern World(Princeton), co-authored with Dan Chirot. The latter work was selected by The New York Times as one of the 100 Most Notable Books of 2015. Other works include Does Science Need a Global Language? (Chicago, 2013) and Powers that Be: Global Energy for the 21st Century and Beyond (Chicago, 2010).

Post Archive

27 February 2024
Scott Montgomery explores how ageism has crept into American politics with possible ramifications for the world.  Ever since Joe Biden somehow found his way to the oval…
12 February 2024
Scott Montgomery explores the ongoing struggle for academic freedoms on US campuses. Academia in America is having a moment, and it isn’t a good one. Angry articles and commentary…
02 January 2024
Scott Montgomery starts off GP's 2024 with an optimistic take on humanity's ability to overcome existential challenges. In a recent talk about global energy to a group…
27 November 2023
These are dark days, with scant light on the horizon. Continuing war in Ukraine, sudden war in the Middle East, both realities with past origins but present horrors. Both come…
06 September 2023
Scott Montgomery on the new space race and why scientists also need to cooperate across borders to face pressing global challenges.  India congratulated itself recently for…
15 August 2023
Scott Montgomery explores the major biopics' lack of science and a certain scientist whilst ultimately praising its ambition. Oppenheimer the film deserves all the…
02 August 2023
It is widely accepted that the humanities today are in a desperate situation, or already dead. This is a brief essay about why they will live forever. In a time of much…
04 July 2023
It’s being called an “ethics crisis.” A new euphemism enters the lexicon of prestige media coverage of high U.S. officials. As we all now know, the “C” word is not used in America…
23 June 2023
Scott Montgomery explores Chinese perceptions of US decline. Friends were over the other night, and while the wine and beer were flowing, we heard a story. One of our party, we’ll…
06 June 2023
Scott Montgomery explores the rise of the gun as the icon, symbol, and supposed requirement of freedom, of contemporary USA. Today is Memorial Day, a holiday to honor and…
04 January 2023
Scott Montgomery on George Santos' assemblage strategy for political success.  George Santos, the recently elected representative for New York’s third Congressional…
21 December 2022
Scott Montgomery argues against an absolutist position in the debate over monument removal. This brief essay is a response to a colleague, whom I respect for being outspoken on…
22 November 2022
Scott Montgomery argues that whether Trump runs in 2024 or is replaced, the Trump era is unlikely to end anytime soon. We in the U.S. are being urged to believe that the country…
19 September 2022
Scott Montgomery uses his column to highlight several positive events in the midst of a particularly worrisome year. First, Mikhail Gorbachev. The recent passing of…
12 September 2022
Scott Montgomery lays out why science is be better advanced in democratic societies. China’s long-term goals for global power are strongly linked to its capabilities in science…