Casey Helgeson

Casey Helgeson is an Associate Research Professor at Penn State University's Earth and Environmental Systems Institute, with affiliate appointments in the Philosophy Department and Rock Ethics Institute. His interdisciplinary work bridges philosophy, climate science, and risk management, focusing on how values-based judgments interact with evidence-based science in addressing climate risks.

Helgeson received his PhD in Philosophy and BS in Mathematics from the University of Wisconsin. Prior to joining Penn State, he held postdoctoral positions at the London School of Economics and French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), establishing his interdisciplinary credentials early in his career.

His research program examines the intersection of values, scientific uncertainty, and decision-making in climate risk contexts. Helgeson has made significant contributions to refining IPCC assessment frameworks, particularly regarding confidence and likelihood language. He investigates how ethical values interact with scientific uncertainty through concepts like 'coupled ethical-epistemic choices' and has developed practical tools such as Values-Informed Mental Models (ViMMs) to align research with stakeholder concerns. His work spans philosophical foundations to applied climate risk management, with particular focus on flood risk, forest management, and energy transitions.

Helgeson's publication record reveals growing emphasis on values-centered research design, transparency in climate science, and transdisciplinary integration. His recent work highlights that only five percent of mission-oriented climate research meets minimal openness standards, demonstrating his commitment to scientific integrity. His scholarship shows evolution from philosophical foundations of scientific reasoning toward concrete applications in climate risk management.

He has led significant collaborative projects including a seven-year, twelve-million-dollar convergence research initiative on sustainable climate risk management. His work with the Menominee Nation combines Western scientific approaches with traditional ecological knowledge to address forest management challenges through innovative virtual reality experiences. Helgeson appears actively engaged in mentoring early-career researchers through large collaborative projects, with particular attention to how convergence research shapes professional development.