New Director of Melbourne Climate Futures appointed

Professor Kathryn Bowen has been appointed as the new director of Melbourne Climate Futures.

The University of Melbourne has appointed Kathryn Bowen, Professor of Environment, Climate and Global Health in the Melbourne School of Global and Population Health, as the new director of Melbourne Climate Futures (MCF).

MCF is the University of Melbourne’s strategic, interdisciplinary climate research initiative, leading on transformative solutions to the climate crisis.

It brings together research and expertise from across the University, providing evidence-based advice for policymakers, communities and industry in order to address the impacts of climate change.

University of Melbourne Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Mark Cassidy AM said developing solutions to address climate change mitigation, resilience and adaptation is a priority in the Advancing Research 2030 strategy.

“Melbourne Climate Futures brings together the breadth of climate research expertise across the University to build the resilience of our ecosystems, cities, communities and infrastructure in a changing climate,” Professor Cassidy said.

“Professor Bowen will continue to build on the work of MCF’s founding director Professor Jacqueline Peel, who has stepped back to focus on ARC Laureate Fellowship program on global corporate climate accountability.

“I want to acknowledge Professor Peel’s ongoing and significant contributions to the field of international climate law and I’m looking forward to working with Professor Bowen to accelerate our research impact across climate, sustainability and ecosystem health.”

Professor Bowen served as MCF Deputy Director since its foundation in March 2021.

She is a recognised authority on climate change and health and has advised governments and leading international organisations including the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Asian Development Bank, World Bank and the Global Fund.

Professor Bowen is a Lead Author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Seventh Assessment Report, Working Group II, Chapter 19 on ‘Human Health and Wellbeing’.

“I’ve been proud to have worked alongside the wonderful MCF team over the last five years and am honoured to lead it into the future,” Professor Bowen said.

“I’m looking forward to nurturing the next generation of climate leaders by supporting and fostering interdisciplinary environments in which early and mid-career researchers from every faculty and every discipline can flourish.”