Dr. Baker's research interests divide into the areas of planetary geology, Earth geomorphology and paleohydrology, and issues of science and society in relation to poicy, the environment, and philosophy. The planetary geology research is focused on Mars and Venus. Studies of various channels and valleys on Mars and Venus are leading to many implications for global volcanism, tectonism, and surface evolution. A current interest is the early geological evolution of Mars, particularly in relation to the history of water and the possible presence of life. His Earth geomorphology work emphasizes the effects of large, rare floods on stream channels and landscapes. Studies of glacial flooding in central Asia revealed the importance of this process to landscape development during the Pleistocene. Work on Holocene paleoflood hydrology in the southwestern U. S., India, and Australia is related to concerns about global environmental change. Local paleoflood hydrology studies are also used for risk analysis in hazard assessment. As member of various national and international scientific panels and committees, he has been studying a variety of issues at the interface between science and society. These include science education for the public, the appropriate role for models and predictions in science policy, the nature of geological reasoning in relation to environmental science, and the history and development of geological thought in relation to geomorphology and Quaternary science.

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