Welcome to the Bill Lane Center for the American West
Dedicated to advancing scholarly and public understanding of the past, present, and future of western North America, the Center supports research, teaching, and reporting about western land and life
Lane Center student researchers investigate salient challenges facing the West
In 2022, we’re pleased to welcome 16 RAs into the Lane Center family, with projects addressing climate change, water conservation, the energy transition, tribal justice, tourism, and more.
Bill Lane Center Director Bruce Cain with Senior Researcher Iris Hui
Remembering Iris Hui
We mourn the loss of our beloved colleague, mentor and friend, Iris Hui.
From left to right, Hope Eccles, Eve Lilley, and Bill Lilley
Remembering Bill Lilley
The Lane Center remembers Bill Lilley, a charter member of our Advisory Council, whose commitment, generosity and creativity represented unparalleled contributions to the Council’s work and the Center
Image credit: Christopher Michel
Practical tips to mitigate harm from wildfire smoke
Lane Center researchers and partners offer tips for staying safe from the smoke during wildfire season.
Native American land return movement makes gains, faces obstacles
The latest piece in our online magazine looks at the movement to restore ancestral lands to Tribes. Much of the return has come thanks to a massive class-action lawsuit that forced the federal government's hand.
Julia Simon (left) and Janet Wilson, 2022-2023 Western Media Fellows
Announcing our 2022-2023 Western Media Fellows
The Bill Lane Center has selected Janet Wilson and Julia Simon as recipients of this year's Western Media Fellowship, which provides support for journalists illuminating critical issues about the American West.
The Lane Center welcomes a new education manager
Corinne Thomas joined the Bill Lane Center in September as our new education manager. Students, come by Y2E2 to meet Corinne and learn more about our student programs!
Robust student research on the American West is well underway at the Lane Center
The Lane Center is proud to subsidize a number of research assistantships for students eager to explore their passions and produce contemporary scholarship about the Western region.
New research from the Bill Lane Center explores the future of federalism and foreign policy in California
With a grant from California 100, the Bill Lane Center identified key challenges of California’s intergovernmental relations, and offered solutions that ensure resilience and reliability of the state’s invaluable natural resources.
Pocatello, Idaho, site of the 2022 Rural West Conference. Photo by Kate Gibson.
Highlights from the 2022 Eccles Family Rural West Conference
In Pocatello, Idaho, scholars and practitioners explored solutions to climate and economic challenges in the rural West.
Friends of the Bill Lane Center hike from Stanford to the Sea
On Saturday, April 30, 2022, the Lane Center brought back its Stanford to the Sea hike, taking a group on a 22-mile trek from Jasper Ridge to Gregorio State Beach.
Recent News
Julia Simon (left) and Janet Wilson, 2022-2023 Western Media Fellows
