Michael Pollan
Michael Pollan is New York born author, journalist, and professor whose work bridges food, culture, agriculture, environment, and consciousness. He studied English at Bennington College, spent time at Mansfield College, Oxford, and earned an M.A. in English from Columbia University.
Pollan is the author of many influential books, among the most notable are The Omnivore's Dilemma, The Botany of Desire, In Defense of Food, Food Rules, Cooked, and How to Change Your Mind,many of which have been New York Times bestsellers.
Pollan is best described as an author who explores the relationships between humans, nature, food systems, and consciousness, often blending investigative journalism with personal narrative. His work frequently examines how our everyday choices, especially around eating and the cultivation of plants; and how this shapes our health, our environment, and our culture. Pollan writes these books to help readers see the hidden systems and assumptions that govern modern life, encouraging more mindful, informed, and ecologically connected choices.
Through those works, he helped shape modern conversations about what we eat, how we eat, and why it matters, exploring topics ranging from sustainable agriculture and the ethics of eating to the social, ecological, and psychological implications of food and nature.
Beyond writing, Pollan has had a significant academic career: he served as a longtime executive editor at Harper's Magazine, contributed regularly to The New York Times Magazine and other major publications, and held the title of Knight Professor of Science and Environmental Journalism at UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism.
In recognition of his influence, he has received numerous honors, including the James Beard Award for food writing, environmental-journalism awards, a fellowship at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study (Harvard), and in 2010 was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time Magazine.
