Michele Koppes

Michele Koppes is a Professor at the Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts, University of British Columbia (UBC). She is on leave until June 30, 2026, and affiliated with the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability and multiple research clusters including the

• Landscapes of Climate Change Lab
• Climate and Cryosphere Lab
• Systems Being Lab
• Public Humanities Hub
• Critical Physical Geography group

.

Education:

• PhD, University of Washington (2007)
• MSc, University of Washington
• BA, Williams College (Honours)

Research Interests: Her work investigates how glaciers, mountains, and human communities respond to climate change. Key themes include:

• Glacial erosion and landscape evolution
• Cryospheric hazards in a warming world
• Mountain cultural resilience and adaptation
• Intersection of Indigenous/local knowledge and Western science
• Sediment dynamics in deglaciating environments
• Critical approaches to geoscience

She works in British Columbia, Alaska, Patagonia, Greenland, and the Himalayas.

Scientific Awards:

• Wall Scholar (2022-2023)

2024-2025 Research Trends: Articles focus on cryospheric hazards, sediment dynamics in warming climates, Indigenous knowledge integration, and justice in climate research. Collaborative projects span glacier retreat impacts on hydropower, reflexive scientific practices, and Third Pole environmental changes.