Matthew England awarded Federation Fellowship

The School's climate and ocean circulation researcher Matthew England has been awarded one of the 2005 Federation Fellowships. The Fellowships, with a salary of $235,000 a year, designed to keep the nations top researchers here or attract them from overseas, are Australia's premier academic positions. Matt's citation reads:

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR MATTHEW ENGLAND

Project: Genesis of Australian Climate Extremes in the Southern Hemisphere Extra-tropical Ocean-Atmosphere
Current institution: The University of New South Wales
Host institution: The University of New South Wales
Primary research field: Climatology

Professor England will focus on Australia’s vulnerability to climate extremes in order to better understand extra-tropical variability and its unique role in extremes and predictability of climate and climate change. In the context of limited knowledge of extra-tropical variability and climate change, the project will use innovative applications of climate system models in conjunction with available observations to quantify extra-tropical ocean-atmosphere variability and change, discover how this impacts on Australian climate and weather and calculate the associated predictability of extreme climate. Harsh droughts, severe bushfire seasons, climate change, soil loss and salinity all pose enormous socio-economic challenges for Australia over the next 50 years. Research into climate variability, extremes and predictability will underpin efforts to protect our biodiversity and ensure environmental sustainability. This project will have significant benefits for many sectors of society reliant on inter-seasonal and inter-annual climate prediction such as agriculture, energy, freshwater supply, bushfire control, air quality, health and tourism.