His research interests are in image and video coding, computer vision, and multimedia systems.

[3] In 1998, Bernd Girod was elevated to fellowship of the IEEE for contributions to the theory and practice of video communication.

[4] Girod's research has been central in startup ventures, including Polycom, Vivo Software, 8x8, and RealNetworks.

[6] He is a Faculty Co-Director of the Stanford Center for Image Systems Engineering (SCIEN)[7] and a Director of the Max Planck Center for Visual Computing and Communication.

[8] He was Founding Director of David and Helen Gurley Brown Institute for Media Innovations (2012–2015), a Senior Associate Dean for the Online Learning and Professional Development, School of Engineering at Stanford University (2012–2015), and a Senior Associate Dean at large for the School of Engineering at Stanford University (2015–2016).