Dan Ferguson

Dan Ferguson is an Associate Professor and Director of the Climate Assessment for the Southwest (CLIMAS) and the Arizona Institutes for Resilience (AIR) at the University of Arizona. He holds a PhD from the School of Geography and Development at the same university. His work focuses on use-inspired environmental research, socially-engaged methodologies, and interdisciplinary team dynamics, particularly in contexts involving Indigenous communities and climate adaptation.

Research interests include societal and cultural contexts for transdisciplinary collaboration, equitable climate science communication, and strategies for enhancing community resilience in the face of environmental challenges. He leads initiatives such as the Indigenous Foods Knowledges Network, emphasizing relational accountability and data sovereignty for Indigenous communities. His research also addresses wildfire risk assessment, drought impacts, and policy frameworks for sustainable resource management.

Key contributions include developing metrics for wildfire risk analysis and advancing ethical principles for inclusive research partnerships. He collaborates closely with decision-makers to translate scientific findings into actionable strategies, particularly in tribal and marginalized communities. His work often bridges environmental science with social justice, emphasizing equity in climate adaptation and disaster preparedness.

Dr. Ferguson’s research spans over three decades, with publications on topics ranging from climate services to science diplomacy. He is actively involved in fostering AGU’s capacity for scientist-decision maker engagement and has contributed to regional climate summits and resilience planning initiatives in Arizona and the broader Southwest.