Sean Fleming

Sean Fleming is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver. He holds affiliate faculty roles at UBC and Oregon State University and serves as Program Scientist for NASA’s Western Water Action Office (WWAO), administered through the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. His work bridges theory and practice, often leading multi-disciplinary teams in environmental science and water forecasting. Fleming specializes in integrating AI, remote sensing, and geophysical principles to improve operational models, notably developing the first AI-driven seasonal water supply forecast system adopted by a governmental agency.

Education: B.Sc. (1994), Ph.D. (2004) from UBC; M.S. (1997, 1998) from Oregon State University. Research focuses on atmospheric science, climate dynamics, and environmental modeling, with over 100 peer-reviewed articles and a Google Scholar h-index of 29. His book Where the River Runs (Princeton University Press) popularizes water science for general audiences.

Research interests emphasize data-driven approaches to hydrology, climate change impacts, and AI applications. He advises governmental agencies like NASA, NOAA, and NSERC, and sits on editorial boards for Atmosphere-Ocean and Water Resources Research. Outreach includes public talks, media appearances, and volunteer efforts in environmental stewardship and humanitarian causes.

Key contributions include advancing satellite data integration for water forecasting and fostering global collaborations through the WWAO. His work balances academic rigor with operational relevance, addressing challenges in water resource management and climate adaptation.