 According to his profile at UCSB, Langer's research focuses on theories of nonequilibrium phenomena, including the kinetics of phase transitions, pattern formation in crystal growth, the dynamics of earthquakes, and deformation and failure in noncrystalline solids.Langer served as President of the American Physical Society in 2000 and as Vice President of the United States National Academy of Sciences from 2001 to 2005.His awards include the APS's Oliver Buckley Prize in 1997.