Jason Evans

Professor Jason Evans is a leading climate scientist at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), serving as Chief Investigator at the Climate Change Research Centre. He completed his undergraduate degrees in physics and mathematics at Newcastle University in 1996 and earned his PhD in Environmental Management from the Australian National University in 2001. After six years as a postdoctoral and research fellow at Yale University, he returned to Australia in 2007 to join UNSW's Climate Change Research Centre.

Education:

• Bachelor's degrees in Physics and Mathematics, Newcastle University (1996)
• PhD in Environmental Management, Australian National University (2001)

Research Interests:

Professor Evans specializes in regional climate dynamics, focusing on land-atmosphere interactions and the water cycle in the context of climate change. His research integrates advanced modeling tools with extensive observational datasets, particularly emphasizing satellite-based remote sensing and earth observations. His work addresses critical questions about regional climate change impacts, including urban climate dynamics, extreme weather events, drought mechanisms, and renewable energy implications under changing climate conditions.

His research spans multiple interconnected domains: from developing novel approaches for moisture source identification using Lagrangian methods, to investigating flash drought prediction using deep learning techniques, and evaluating the performance of high-resolution climate simulations across diverse geographical regions including Australia, Alaska, and Saudi Arabia.

Scientific Recognition:

• Lead Author, IPCC Special Report on Climate Change, Desertification, Land Degradation, Sustainable Land Management, Food Security, and Greenhouse Gas Fluxes in Terrestrial Ecosystems
• Member, Science Advisory Team for CORDEX (World Climate Research Programme)
• Editor, Journal of Climate (2016-2022)
• Fellow, Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand (2020)
• Biennial Medal, Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand (2021)
• Fellow, Royal Society of New South Wales (2021)

Research Impact and Contributions:

Professor Evans has made significant contributions to understanding regional climate change through his extensive publication record of over 50 articles since 2021. His work has advanced knowledge in areas including urban climate dynamics, drought mechanisms and prediction, extreme weather events, and renewable energy impacts under climate change. His research has informed climate policy through his role as a Lead Author for the IPCC and his involvement with international climate research initiatives like CORDEX.