Roderik van de Wal

Prof. Roderik van de Wal is a Professor of Sea Level Change and Coastal Impacts at Utrecht University, affiliated with the Faculty of Science and collaborating with the Faculty of Geosciences. His research focuses on climate dynamics, polar ice sheets, and sea level changes, integrating observational and modeling approaches at the intersection of natural and earth sciences.

Research Interests:

• Paleoclimate modeling and ice core interpretation
• Climate sensitivity and dynamics
• Sea level variations and ice dynamics of Greenland and Antarctica
• Glacier modeling and numerical ice sheet simulations

Collaborative efforts bridge oceanography, meteorology, glaciology, hydrology, and physical geography. His work emphasizes understanding future sea-level rise drivers, including thermal expansion, ice melt, and storm surge impacts.

Key Contributions:

• Developed models like ZEMBA and UFEMISM for Quaternary climate and ice sheet dynamics
• Explored Antarctic bedrock uplift effects and basal meltwater dynamics
• Assessed regional sea level risks for coastal adaptation strategies

He supervises graduate students on topics ranging from glacial inception to compound flooding projections. His research supports policy-relevant sea-level assessments through initiatives like the EU Knowledge Hub.