Karen O’Brien

Professor Karen O’Brien is a globally renowned expert on climate change impacts and social transformation. Based in Oslo, Norway, she has contributed to the IPCC (sharing in its 2007 Nobel Peace Prize) and advised Project Drawdown. She co-founded cCHANGE, a company focused on social transformation, and authored You Matter More Than You Think (2022), exploring quantum social change. Her work emphasizes collective capacity for systemic shifts toward ecological and social regeneration.

Research Interests: O’Brien’s research bridges climate science and social systems, focusing on how individuals and communities drive transformative change. She advocates for holistic approaches to sustainability, integrating ecological awareness with policy and behavioral shifts. Her book challenges conventional views on human agency in addressing global crises.

Awards:

• 2007 Nobel Peace Prize (as part of the IPCC team)

Advising & Grants: While specific grants or student advisees are not detailed, her leadership roles in cCHANGE and IPCC highlight her influential advisory contributions. She co-created a transformative leadership course and collaborated with artists on projects like the Deep Ocean is Calling lyric.

Labs & Teams: Co-founder of cCHANGE, a platform for social transformation initiatives. Collaborates with artists and policymakers, as seen in her book launch film and musical contributions.