CERN Alumni Third Collisions - Navigating the Frontiers of Science and Climate with Prof Jonathan Gregory.
Jonathan Gregory, the esteemed keynote speaker at the upcoming CERN Alumni Third Collisions reunion event, is not only a distinguished climate scientist but a prolific researcher whose influence extends across Earth system science and particle physics. Born in Welwyn Garden City, just north of London, Jonathan's trajectory reflects a profound commitment to unravelling the complexities of climate change and scientific inquiry.
Academic and Early Career:
Jonathan's academic journey started at the University of Oxford, where he earned his physics degree in 1986. His passion for unravelling the mysteries of the universe led him to CERN, where he dedicated 15 months to the UA1 experiment. The completion of his PhD in 1990 marked a significant milestone, showcasing his early commitment to pushing the boundaries of scientific exploration.
Academic Transition and Commitment to Climate Science:
After earning his PhD, Jonathan redirected his research pursuits due to both scientific interest and personal concern about climate change. Since 1990, he has been a Science Fellow at the Met Office Hadley Centre, and since 2003, a senior scientist (and later a professor as of 2006) at the University of Reading's Department of Meteorology.
Contributions to Climate Science:
With an impressive 215 peer-reviewed publications in Earth system science, covering climate and atmospheric science, oceanography, and glaciology, Jonathan's impact is substantial. His expertise lies in studying large-scale multidecadal physical processes using three-dimensional global models and observational evidence. His significant contributions include refining the concept and evaluation of climate sensitivity, a crucial metric for understanding the magnitude of warming caused by increases in greenhouse gases. Additionally, he has played a pivotal role in projecting future sea-level changes resulting from ocean warming, ocean circulation shifts, and the loss of ice on land, contributing substantially to three Assessment Reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (2001, 2007, 2013).
Leadership in Climate Research:
Jonathan is also one of the leaders of the World Climate Research Programme's Grand Challenge on sea-level change. His leadership underscores his commitment to advancing our understanding of climate dynamics and its profound implications for our planet's future. Jonathan's dedication and expertise have not gone unnoticed. Throughout his career, he received prestigious accolades, including the FitzRoy prize of the Royal Meteorological Society in 2016, the Frontiers of Knowledge Climate Change Award from the BBVA Foundation in 2019, the CERN Directorate alumni award in 2021, and the Syukuro Manabe Climate Research Award from the American Meteorological Society in 2023.
His journey reflects a seamless blend of academic prowess, resilience, and a commitment to addressing critical issues facing our world.
Join us in celebrating Jonathan's remarkable journey and contributions to climate science by registering for the CERN Alumni Third Collisions reunion event: https://alumni.cern/page/third-collisions