History of Michael Pollan in Timeline

Michael Pollan is an American journalist and professor at Harvard University and UC Berkeley, specializing in food and environmental journalism. He directs the Knight Program in Science and Environmental Journalism at Berkeley and co-founded the UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics, leading its public education program. Pollan's work primarily focuses on the intersection of food, environment, and culture, advocating for sustainable and mindful eating habits.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

February 6, 1955: Michael Pollan's birth

On February 6, 1955, Michael Kevin Pollan was born. He is an American journalist specializing in food.

Others born on this day/year

1975: Studied at Mansfield College, Oxford

Throughout 1975, Michael Pollan studied at Mansfield College, Oxford.

1977: Received B.A. in English from Bennington College

In 1977, Michael Pollan received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Bennington College.

1981: Received M.A. in English from Columbia University

In 1981, Michael Pollan received a Master of Arts degree in English from Columbia University.

1990: Article anthologized in 'Best American Essays' and 'The Norton Book of Nature Writing'

In 1990, Michael Pollan's article was anthologized in "Best American Essays" and "The Norton Book of Nature Writing".

1991: Publication of 'Second Nature: A Gardener's Education'

In 1991, Michael Pollan's first book, "Second Nature: A Gardener's Education", was published.

1998: Publication of 'A Place of My Own: The Education of an Amateur Builder'

In 1998, Michael Pollan's book "A Place of My Own: The Education of an Amateur Builder" was published, tracing the design and construction of his writing out-building.

2001: Publication of 'The Botany of Desire'

In 2001, Michael Pollan published "The Botany of Desire", exploring the socio-cultural impacts of food.

2003: Won James Beard Foundation Award for best magazine series

In 2003, Michael Pollan won the James Beard Foundation Award for best magazine series.

2004: Article anthologized in 'Best American Science Writing'

In 2004, Michael Pollan's article was anthologized in "Best American Science Writing".

December 10, 2006: 'The Omnivore's Dilemma' named one of the best nonfiction books of the year by The New York Times

On December 10, 2006, The New York Times named Michael Pollan's book, "The Omnivore's Dilemma" one of the five best nonfiction books of the year.

2006: Publication of 'The Omnivore's Dilemma'

In 2006, Michael Pollan published "The Omnivore's Dilemma", exploring the socio-cultural impacts of food.

2006: Article anthologized in 'The Animals: Practicing Complexity'

In 2006, Michael Pollan's article was anthologized in "The Animals: Practicing Complexity".

May 8, 2007: 'The Omnivore's Dilemma' wins James Beard Foundation Award

On May 8, 2007, the James Beard Foundation named Michael Pollan's "The Omnivore's Dilemma" its 2007 winner for the best food writing.

2007: Appearance in 'King Corn' documentary

In 2007, Michael Pollan appeared in the documentary film "King Corn".

Loading Video...

January 1, 2008: Release of 'In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto'

On January 1, 2008, Michael Pollan's book "In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto" was released, exploring nutritionism and the Western diet.

2008: Co-starred and consulted in 'Food, Inc.'

In 2008, Michael Pollan co-starred in and was a consultant for the documentary "Food, Inc.".

Loading Video...

2008: Received Washington University International Humanities Medal

In 2008, Michael Pollan received the Washington University International Humanities Medal.

2008: Re-release of 'A Place of My Own: The Education of an Amateur Builder' as 'A Place of My Own: The Architecture of Daydreams'

In 2008, Michael Pollan's book "A Place of My Own: The Education of an Amateur Builder" was re-released as "A Place of My Own: The Architecture of Daydreams".

2009: Publication of 'Food Rules: An Eater's Manual'

In 2009, Michael Pollan published "Food Rules: An Eater's Manual", providing a simple framework for a healthy and sustainable diet.

2009: 'The Omnivore's Dilemma' selected for Washington State University's Common Reading Program

In 2009, Michael Pollan's book, "The Omnivore's Dilemma", was selected as the book of choice for Washington State University's Common Reading Program.

2010: Criticism by Jonathan Safran Foer in 'Eating Animals'

In 2010, Jonathan Safran Foer criticized Michael Pollan's argument regarding table-fellowship in his book, "Eating Animals".

Eating Animals

Check it on Amazon

2010: Interviewed for 'Queen of the Sun: What are the bees telling us?'

In 2010, Michael Pollan was interviewed for the documentary "Queen of the Sun: What are the bees telling us?", about honey bees and colony collapse disorder.

Loading Video...

2013: Publication of 'Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation'

In 2013, Michael Pollan published "Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation", exploring the methods by which cooks mediate between nature and culture.

2013: Publication of 'Cooked'

In 2013, Michael Pollan published "Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation".

Loading Video...

2014: Co-hosted discussion on genetic modification at UC Berkeley

In 2014, Michael Pollan co-hosted a discussion and debate on genetic modification at UC Berkeley featuring Pamela Ronald.

2014: Foreword in 'The Pollan Family Table'

In 2014, Michael Pollan wrote the foreword for "The Pollan Family Table", a healthy eating cookbook co-authored by his mother and sisters.

2015: Received Washburn Award and named Radcliffe Institute Fellow

In 2015, Michael Pollan received the Washburn Award from the Boston Museum of Science and was named a fellow at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University.

2015: Premiere of documentary version of 'In Defense of Food' on PBS

In 2015, a documentary version of Michael Pollan's book "In Defense of Food" premiered on PBS.

Loading Video...

2016: Received honorary degree from the University of Gastronomic Sciences

In 2016, Michael Pollan received an honorary degree from the University of Gastronomic Sciences.

2016: Netflix released documentary series 'Cooked'

In 2016, Netflix released a four-part documentary series based on Michael Pollan's book "Cooked", directed by Alex Gibney.

Loading Video...

2016: Release of 'Cooked' Netflix documentary series

In 2016, a Netflix documentary series based on Michael Pollan's 2013 book "Cooked" was released, starring Michael Pollan and Isaac Pollan.

Loading Video...

2018: Publication of 'How To Change Your Mind'

In 2018, Michael Pollan published "How To Change Your Mind", exploring the impact of drugs on society and consciousness.

2018: Criticism of 'How to Change Your Mind' for not addressing unethical behaviors

In 2018, Michael Pollan's book "How to Change Your Mind" was criticized for not addressing unethical behaviors, such as sexual misconduct by psychedelic therapists.

2019: Accusations of hypocrisy following op-ed on medical legalization

Following Michael Pollan's 2019 New York Times op-ed advocating for medical legalization, he faced accusations of hypocrisy from Duncan Trussell.

2020: Co-founded UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics

In 2020, Michael Pollan co-founded the UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics and leads the public-education program.

July 6, 2021: Release of 'This Is Your Mind on Plants'

On July 6, 2021, Michael Pollan's book "This Is Your Mind on Plants" was released, exploring opium, caffeine, and mescaline.

2021: Publication of 'This Is Your Mind On Plants'

In 2021, Michael Pollan published "This Is Your Mind On Plants", exploring the impact of drugs on society and consciousness.

2021: AMA with Tim Ferriss

In 2021, during an "Ask Me Anything" (AMA) session with Tim Ferriss, Michael Pollan emphasized "public education" to "inoculate the public against the inevitable negative stories—business collapses, sexual abuse in the treatment room, suicides, scandal" in the psychedelics field. This was interpreted as an approach of advocacy journalism rather than neutral scientific reporting.

November 2022: Teaches MasterClass course on Intentional Eating

Starting in November 2022, Michael Pollan teaches an online subscription MasterClass course on Intentional Eating.

June 2025: Panel discussion on clergy study

In June 2025, during a panel discussion at the Graduate Theological Union regarding the clergy study, Michael Pollan defended including blocked data without explaining the lack of disclosures and referred to a study whistleblower as a "gadfly."

2025: "The Psychedelic Syndicate" report

In 2025, a report titled "The Psychedelic Syndicate" by the non-profit Psymposia, linked the Ferriss–UC Berkeley Psychedelic Journalism Fellowship to the Psychedelic Science Funders Collaborative, a group of wealthy psychedelic philanthropists, and described it as social engineering public opinion on psychedelics.

2026: Publication of 'A World Appears: A Journey into Consciousness'

In 2026, Michael Pollan's book "A World Appears: A Journey into Consciousness" was published, exploring consciousness from scientific, philosophical, literary, spiritual and psychedelic perspectives.