David Hutchinson

Dr. David Hutchinson is a Research Fellow at the Climate Change Research Centre within the Faculty of Science at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). He is also a long-term visitor at ANU Earth Sciences as part of the Climate and Fluid Physics group. Currently undertaking an ARC DECRA fellowship from 2022 to 2025, his work focuses on paleoclimate modeling and Earth system dynamics during geological warm periods.

His educational background includes a PhD from the University of New South Wales (2011-2016) and a PhB (Hons) from the Australian National University (2005-2008).

Dr. Hutchinson specializes in paleoclimate modeling, with particular expertise in past warm climate intervals including the Eocene (56-34 Ma), Oligocene (34-23 Ma), and Miocene (23-5 Ma). His research investigates the long-term evolution of deep ocean circulation and the development of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. He has developed sophisticated simulations using the coupled climate model GFDL CM2.1 and is extending these to new intervals in the Oligocene and Miocene. His work also includes simulations of the Last Interglacial (127 ka), examining the impacts of partial melting of the West Antarctic ice sheet.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on Eocene climate dynamics, with particular attention to ocean circulation patterns, climate variability during geological warm periods, and model-data comparisons. His research spans multiple disciplines including paleoceanography, climate modeling, and biogeochemical cycles, with significant contributions to understanding how Earth's climate system responds to elevated temperatures.

Scientific Awards:

• ARC DECRA fellowship DE220100279: Did ocean circulation changes build the Antarctic ice sheet? (2022-2024, $453,000 AUD)
• FORMAS Mobility grant 2018-01621: Climate Impacts of Paleogeography at the Eocene-Oligocene Transition (2019-2021, 3,260,925 SEK)

Dr. Hutchinson has secured significant research funding including his current ARC DECRA fellowship and a previous FORMAS Mobility grant. His current research involves developing equilibrium simulations of the Oligocene (30 Ma) and Miocene (15 Ma) warm climates using GFDL CM2.1, developing snapshot simulations using ACCESS-ESM1.5, enabling offline tracer simulations of Neodymium isotopes, and simulating partial loss of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet during the Last Interglacial. His work is highly collaborative, with numerous co-authored publications across leading climate science journals.

As part of the Climate Change Research Centre at UNSW, Dr. Hutchinson contributes to one of Australia's leading climate research institutions, working alongside experts in paleoclimate modeling, climate dynamics, and Earth system science. His research integrates with broader efforts to understand past climate states as analogs for future warming scenarios.