Dr. Leanne Archer is a Researcher in the School of Geographical Sciences at the University of Bristol, specializing in hydrology and climate change impacts. Her work focuses on flood risk assessment in Small Island Developing States, extreme rainfall events, and the application of convection-permitting climate models. She collaborates with experts like Prof. Paul Bates and Dr. Jonty Rougier on interdisciplinary projects addressing tropical cyclone hazards and climate adaptation strategies. Her research interests include analyzing flood exposure in vulnerable regions, soil moisture dynamics in urban flooding, and improving global flood forecasts for humanitarian operations. Archer’s publications emphasize the implications of climate change on rainfall-driven disasters, particularly in Puerto Rico and East Africa, using high-resolution climate projections to evaluate future risks under 1.5° C and 2° C warming scenarios. Recent work explores innovations like the Surface Water Ocean Topography Mission for flood modeling and evaluates the suitability of TanDEM-X data for inundation studies in island nations. Her contributions bridge environmental science with policy, aiming to enhance disaster preparedness and resilience in climate-sensitive regions.
Gregg M. Garfin is a Professor and Specialist in Climate, Natural Resources, and Policy at the University of Arizona’s School of Natural Resources and the Environment, and Deputy Director for Science Translation and Outreach at the Arizona Institute for Resilience. He holds a Ph.D. in Geosciences from the University of Arizona (2003), an M.S. in Geology and Geography from the University of Massachusetts (1997), and a B.S. in Geology and Geography from the same institution (1993). His work bridges science and societal decision-making, focusing on climate adaptation, drought management, and climate services. He directs the Water, Society, and Policy M.S. Program and has led interdisciplinary projects on climate resilience, including contributions to the Fourth National Climate Assessment. Roles: Professor, Deputy Director, Program Director Affiliations: Arizona Institute for Resilience, School of Natural Resources and the Environment Research Interests His research emphasizes climate adaptation strategies, climate policy, and the co-production of knowledge between scientists and decision-makers. Key areas include: Climate impacts on water resources and ecosystems Extreme heat and drought resilience in urban and border communities Climate change communication and education Awards & Recognition Garfin has received multiple accolades, including AAAS Fellowship (2020), University of Arizona Service Awards (2020, 2015), and the Global Initiative for Academic Networks (GIAN) Visiting Fellowship (2018). His work has been featured in peer-reviewed journals and media outlets, emphasizing actionable science for climate resilience. Grants & Contributions He has led federal and transnational projects, including binational climate resilience initiatives in the U.S.-Mexico border region and flood risk assessments in Seoul, South Korea. His work integrates participatory governance approaches to enhance community preparedness.
Elmira Hassanzadeh is an Associate Professor at the Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering , Polytechnique Montréal, with a focus on integrated water resource modeling and management under climate and anthropogenic changes. She is affiliated with the Global Institute for Water Security (University of Saskatchewan) and the Experimental and Digital Water Flow Engineering Group (GENIE EAU) . Education: PhD in Civil Engineering, University of Saskatchewan Postdoctoral Fellow, McGill University Research interests include climate change impact assessment, socio-hydrological modeling, stakeholder engagement in water management, and sustainable development of water systems in cold regions. Her work emphasizes decision-making under uncertainty and adaptive strategies for ungauged basins. Recent publications (2024–2020) span coastal flood hazard modeling, climate-driven hydrological changes in tropical and Canadian watersheds, evaluation of agricultural practices under warming climates, and integrated approaches to water quality and system dynamics. Keywords include Hydrology , Climate Change , Water Security , and Socio-Hydrology . Supervision: She has mentored 15+ graduate students in projects related to Lake Urmia, Saskatchewan River Basin, and climate adaptation in Africa and the Pacific.
Ben Livneh is an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado Boulder , affiliated with both the Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering Department and the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) . As Director of the Western Water Assessment , he bridges academic research with regional climate resilience initiatives. Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (Hydrology), University of Washington (2012) MESc in Civil Engineering, University of Western Ontario (2006) His research explores hydrologic responses to climate and land-cover changes , focusing on snowpack dynamics, wildfire impacts on water quality, sediment transport, and drought predictability. Key projects include simulations of montane snowpack for wolverine habitat preservation and post-fire landslide susceptibility analysis . Recent publications highlight continental-scale hydraulic geometry datasets , climate-energy nexus challenges , and global lake level reconstructions using satellite data. His work has been recognized by the AGU Hydrologic Sciences Early Career Award (2022) and NASA New Investigator Program (2018) . Scientific Awards AGU Hydrologic Sciences Early Career Award (2022) NASA New Investigator Award (2018) Symposium Scholar, DISCCRS VIII (2013) CIRES Visiting Fellowship (2012) Ben leads interdisciplinary collaborations with institutions like the University of Alaska Southeast and NOAA , addressing climate-water-energy-food nexus challenges through advanced modeling and remote sensing techniques.
Dr. ONG Ghim Ping Raymond is an Associate Professor and Deputy Head (Research) at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore (NUS). He concurrently serves as Director (Operations) at the Coastal Protection and Flood Resilience Institute (CFI) Singapore. His expertise spans sustainable pavements, multimodal transport infrastructure, and urban mobility systems. Dr. Ong holds a B.Eng (Civil) with First Class Honours and a PhD from NUS, followed by postdoctoral research at Purdue University. He has authored/co-authored over 85 peer-reviewed journal articles and 120 conference papers. His research focuses on circular economy applications in infrastructure, car-lite urban design, and mega-projects like Tuas Port and Changi Airport expansions. Dr. Ong actively engages in policy advisory roles, serving on international committees for ASCE, ASTM, and EASTS. He has received prestigious awards including the Alfred Noble Prize (ASCE) and Takeuchi Yoshio Award (OCDI). His teaching accolades include multiple NUS Faculty of Engineering commendations. He advises on critical infrastructure projects for agencies like Changi Airport Group and Defence Science and Technology Agency. Dr. Ong frequently contributes to public discourse on transport and urban planning via media interviews and policy consultations.
Stephen Billings is an Associate Professor of Finance at the Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado Boulder, where he holds the Global Real Estate Capital Markets Chair position. He serves as the faculty director of the MS in Real Estate program and research director for the CU Real Estate Center. His work spans multiple research centers including the Center for Research on Consumer Financial Decision Making and the Michael A. Klump Center for Real Estate. Billings received his PhD in Economics from the University of Colorado, a MS in urban planning from the University of North Carolina, and a BS in economics from Georgetown University. Prior to joining CU Boulder in 2016, he was faculty at the University of North Carolina Charlotte with appointments in both economics and public policy, where he also served as faculty director for the real estate center. His research focuses on the intersection of housing, schools, neighborhoods and crime, addressing critical policy issues including the impact of public investment in light-rail transit on neighborhoods, school segregation's influence on academic achievement and crime, neighborhood gentrification causes, lead-based paint in low-income housing, and the effects of sea level rise and natural disasters on neighborhood sorting and household finances. Billings employs sophisticated analysis of large micro-datasets with studies based on data and policies in Charlotte, NC and Denver, CO. His work connects urban economics with public policy, demonstrating how neighborhood environments shape individual outcomes across multiple dimensions. Billings' recent publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on neighborhood effects, school choice impacts, crime economics, and housing market dynamics. His work frequently examines the intersection of race, housing, and economic outcomes, with particular attention to policy implications. He has developed innovative methodological approaches to studying residential amenities and neighborhood spillovers, with increasing attention to climate change impacts on housing markets. His research appears in top journals including The Quarterly Journal of Economics, American Economic Review: Insights, and Journal of Urban Economics. As an educator, Billings teaches undergraduate and masters classes in real estate finance and economics, as well as doctoral and masters level courses on cost-benefit analysis and statistical methods. He has extensive consulting experience conducting economic impact studies, including assessments of North Carolina's public higher education system, affordable housing needs in Colorado communities, and the economic effects of marijuana legalization on property markets. His practical policy work complements his academic research, creating a bridge between theoretical insights and real-world applications. Billings leads significant research initiatives through the CU Real Estate Center, where he directs studies examining the impact of business improvement districts and other urban development policies. His work bridges academic research with practical policy applications, making substantial contributions to our understanding of how housing, education, and neighborhood environments shape individual outcomes and community development. His December 2023 memo on the HUD Officer Next Door Program exemplifies his engagement with current housing policy issues.
Professor Ana Mijic is a leading academic in water systems integration at Imperial College London's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (Faculty of Engineering). Her work focuses on developing systems tools to balance economic growth with sustainable water use, flood management, and water quality under future uncertainties. She leads high-profile projects like the EPSRC VENTURA initiative and the NERC CAMELLIA impact programme, emphasizing adaptive planning and grey/green infrastructure integration in urban systems. Education: BEng (First Class) in Civil Engineering from the University of Belgrade (Serbia), MSc (Distinction) in Hydrology for Environmental Management, and PhD in Earth Science & Engineering from Imperial College London (2013). Previously served as a teaching assistant in Fluid Mechanics and Hydrometry at Belgrade University. Research interests include whole-water system modelling, socio-hydrological interactions, and nature-based solutions for resilient urban water systems. Her work bridges academia and practice through partnerships with regulators like the UK Environment Agency and global initiatives like the IAHS HELPING programme. Awards include the Satish Dhawan Visiting Chair Professorship (2022) and the 2019 Imperial President’s Award for Excellence in Research (as part of her Hydrology team). She co-leads Imperial’s Transition to Zero Pollution (TZP) Urban Ecosystems theme and serves on editorial boards for journals like Water Security . Her contributions span over 50 peer-reviewed articles (2020–2025), focusing on integrated water management frameworks, AI-driven monitoring, and systemic approaches to urban resilience. She advocates for participatory decision-making and policy coherence in water governance.
Amir AghaKouchak is a Chancellor’s Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Samueli School of Engineering, University of California, Irvine (UCI). He directs the Center for Hydrometeorology and Remote Sensing (CHRS) and focuses on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of hydrology, climatology, statistics, and remote sensing. B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Civil Engineering (Water Resources), K.N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran (2001, 2005) Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Stuttgart, Germany (2010) His research aims to leverage satellite data and ground observations to advance modeling of hydrologic extremes (droughts, floods, landslides) and develop decision-support systems for water resources management. Key areas include climate change impacts , stochastic modeling , and the water-energy nexus . Recent publications highlight his work on multi-hazard analysis, groundwater decline, wildfire resilience, and climate projections. Tools like MhAST and MvCAT demonstrate his methodological contributions to copula-based and multi-hazard modeling.
Prof. Antje Stokman is a Professor of Landscape Architecture and Landscape Planning at HafenCity University Hamburg. Her department researches and designs landscape-, nature-, and water-related transformation processes, with teaching and research focused on the design and collaborative creation of urban landscapes in their dynamic interactions between natural and human habitats. Her research interests include: Landscape Architecture and Urban Design Climate-Adapted Urban Landscapes Blue-Green Infrastructure Water-sensitive Urban Design Linear Infrastructure Landscapes Urban Transformation Processes Prof. Stokman has led several significant research projects including the LILAS research network (Linear Infrastructure Landscapes as Open Spaces for the City in Climate Change), the City on the Blue Belt project, and the Blue-Green Infrastructure Dialogue Process. Her recent publications focus on transforming urban linear infrastructure landscapes and developing water development corridors along federal waterways as open space potential for urban green-blue infrastructure. Scientific awards: City of Hamburg's Teaching Prize (Hamburg Teaching Award) Prof. Stokman supervises doctoral projects including Katarina Bajc's work on "Perception and Design of Ecological Processes in Landscape Architecture" and Anne Kittel's research on "The Transformation of Metropolitan Landscapes." She has received research funding from various sources including the Federal Environment Agency, BMUV, BMBF, and EU Horizon 2020. She co-leads the Blue-Green Infrastructure Lab (BGI-Lab) with Prof. Wolfgang Dickhaut, which focuses on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of environmentally sound urban planning and landscape architecture.
University of North Carolina at Chapel HillUnited States
Miyuki Hino is an Assistant Professor in the Department of City and Regional Planning and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Environment, Ecology, and Energy Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She holds a Ph.D. in Environment and Resources from Stanford University and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Yale University. Her research focuses on climate hazards, governance, and public policy , with emphasis on equitable adaptation to climate change. Key areas include sea level rise impacts, flood risk on property markets, and managed retreat strategies. She has conducted extensive work on floodplain development policies, household relocation programs, and community resilience frameworks. Dr. Hino's interdisciplinary approach integrates environmental science, urban planning, and social equity . She collaborates with academic and municipal partners, such as the Center for Urban and Regional Studies and Annapolis, MD local governments, to develop actionable solutions for climate adaptation. Her work bridges technical analyses (e.g., sensor networks, machine learning) with policy design to ensure both effectiveness and justice in climate responses. Recent projects emphasize preventing future 'trapped households' by analyzing zoning policies and market dynamics that drive risky development. She advocates for climate-smart growth strategies to balance economic needs with environmental safety, while addressing disparities in vulnerability across communities. Her research has been featured in Science Advances , Nature Climate Change , and interdisciplinary journals. She actively engages with policymakers to translate findings into practical measures, such as equitable buyout programs and floodplain management reforms.
Dr. Alyas Widita is an Assistant Professor in the Urban Design program at Monash University, Indonesia. He is actively involved in research and teaching, focusing on urban planning, transportation, and smart city technologies. He serves as the Program Coordinator for Urban Design and teaches courses such as Urban Design Studio: Smart City and Smart City Technologies. Education: Ph.D. in City and Regional Planning, Georgia Institute of Technology, United States Dr. Widita's research centers on the built environment, transportation systems, and urban analytics, with a strong emphasis on developing Asian cities. His work explores congestion impacts of mass transit, ride-hailing effects on vehicle ownership, rural-urban migration, walking behavior, and spatial patterns of MSMEs. He employs advanced data analytics and causal evaluation methods to inform urban policy. His recent publications span high-impact journals such as Transport Reviews , Journal of Planning Education and Research , and Travel Behaviour and Society . The research trend shows a consistent focus on data-driven urban policy, sustainable mobility, and equity in urban development across Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Scientific Awards and Recognition: No specific awards listed, but research widely cited and featured in media outlets. Dr. Widita has secured and contributed to multiple research projects funded by international and national agencies, including the World Bank, Korea Transport Institute (KOTI), Central Bank of Indonesia, and Georgia Department of Transportation. He is currently leading or co-leading projects on Jakarta’s subsidence, flood risk management using remote sensing, and the Citarum River revitalization. He collaborates extensively with researchers across disciplines and institutions. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to sustainable cities and communities. He is accepting PhD students interested in the built environment, transportation, and urban analytics in developing Asia. He is involved in key labs and research teams including the Citarum Action Research Program (CARP), Intelligent and Dynamic Remote Sensing for Flood Risk, and interdisciplinary urban analytics initiatives at Monash Indonesia.
Professor Mark Scott is a Full Professor of Planning and Dean of the School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy at University College Dublin (UCD), where he has served since 2002. He is a leading scholar in rural planning and environmental policy with over 25 years of academic experience. His leadership roles include Dean (2020-2025), Head of School, and various subject leadership positions within UCD. Mark Scott earned his BSc, Diploma in Town Planning, and PhD in Environmental Planning from Queen's University Belfast. Prior to joining UCD, he worked at the University of Ulster and Queen's University Belfast, and also had planning practice experience. He has held visiting appointments at the University of Pisa and the University of New South Wales. His research focuses on the environmental and sustainability dimensions of spatial planning theory and practice, with specific expertise in rural planning, land-use governance, climate action, green infrastructure, and natural and built heritage. Professor Scott has published extensively in these areas with over 150 journal articles and book chapters, and has authored several influential books including 'Rural Planning Futures' (2025) and 'Postcapitalist Countrysides' (2025). His work demonstrates a strong focus on contemporary challenges in rural planning, climate adaptation, and sustainable development, bridging theoretical frameworks with practical policy applications. Professor Scott has received significant recognition for his contributions to the field: Elected Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (2024) Fellow of the Regional Studies Association Shortlisted for the Patsy Healey Award for Academic Excellence (2025) With research funding totaling approximately €6 million from various national and international sources, Professor Scott actively engages with policy and practice. He serves on the Board of the Heritage Council (2023-present), chairs the Historic Monuments Council in Northern Ireland (2025-30), and has advised numerous governmental bodies including Oireachtas Committees, the UK House of Lords, and the OECD. His leadership extends to editorial roles, having served as editor of Planning Theory & Practice (2008-2015 & 2018-2024) and currently on the editorial board of Town Planning Review. Professor Scott leads several significant research initiatives including the Wildfire Resilient Cultural Heritage project (funded by JPI Climate and JPI Cultural Heritage), CO-Bioecon (funded by Department of Agriculture, Food & Marine), and the Rural Planning in the 2020s project (funded by the Royal Town Planning Institute).
Dr. Jessica A Eisma is an Assistant Professor of Water Resources in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington. Her research focuses on urban and dryland hydrology, remote sensing, machine learning, citizen science, and climate change adaptation. She holds a PhD from Purdue University (2020) and prior degrees from Purdue and Michigan State University. Her work emphasizes community-centered solutions for flood resilience and green infrastructure planning in vulnerable areas. Education: PhD, Civil Engineering, Purdue University, 2020 MS, Civil Engineering, Purdue University, 2015 BS, Civil Engineering, Michigan State University, 2012 Research Interests: Urban hydrology and climate impacts on rainfall patterns Remote sensing applications for water resource management Machine learning in hydrological modeling Citizen science for environmental data collection Green infrastructure design for flood mitigation Recent Article Trends: Dr. Eisma’s recent work addresses urbanization effects on extreme rainfall, UAV-based thermal mapping of micro-urban heat islands, and equity-focused green infrastructure planning. Her publications often bridge technical innovation and community-driven solutions for climate resilience. Awards: 2024: Faculty/Staff Graduating Student Impact Reception (UTA) 2023: Emerging Leaders Award (Purdue CEG SAC) 2020: Magoon Award for Excellence in Teaching (Purdue College of Engineering) 2015: NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Advising & Grants: Advises 3 PhD students and multiple undergrad researchers Principal Investigator on grants totaling over $1M from NOAA, NSF, and others Focus areas: Houston flood resilience, Texas urban stormwater systems Lab & Teams: Leads the SEUSI Lab, dedicated to socio-environmental solutions in urban sustainability and infrastructure. Collaborates with national and international partners on water security and climate adaptation projects.
Jim Hall is a Professor of Climate and Environmental Risk at the University of Oxford's School of Geography and the Environment, and serves as Director of Research there. He is also a Visiting Fellow at Linacre College and holds leadership roles including Chair of the Science Advisory Committee at IIASA, and Expert Advisor to the UK's National Infrastructure Commission. His work focuses on systemic risk analysis, infrastructure resilience, and policy implications of climate change adaptation. Prof Hall has pioneered methodologies like the National Infrastructure Systems Model (NISMOD) and chairs the Data and Analytics Facility for National Infrastructure (DAFNI). His research spans flood risk management, energy systems decarbonization, and transboundary water resource conflicts in regions such as the Eastern Nile Basin and the Caribbean. Key research areas include robust decision making under uncertainty, info-gap theory applications, and integrated assessments of human-environmental systems. He has contributed to major international assessments, including the IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report, and developed frameworks for multi-hazard stress testing of infrastructure networks. Scientific Awards: George Stephenson Medal (2001), Prince Sultan Prize for Water (2018), Royal Academy of Engineering Fellowship (2010) His advising and grants work includes mentoring a DPhil student Erin Canning and leading projects like MARIUS and ENHANCE. He has also developed innovative modeling tools for coastal erosion prediction and probabilistic assessments of global shipping fuel transitions. Prof Hall’s research groups actively engage in interdisciplinary projects, including the Oxford Martin Programme on Resource Stewardship and the UK Infrastructure Transitions Research Consortium. His work emphasizes bridging scientific analysis with actionable policy solutions for climate adaptation.
Associate Professor Bambang Trigunarsyah holds a position at RMIT University since 2018, affiliated with the School of Property, Construction and Project Management (PCPM). He earned his BSc in Civil Engineering from Colorado School of Mines, a Master's in Civil Engineering (Construction Management) from the University of Indonesia, and a PhD in Engineering Project Management from the University of Melbourne. His career spans industry roles, including project engineering in Indonesia's oil and gas sector, academic leadership at the University of Indonesia, and international teaching/research appointments at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Saudi Arabia. Research interests focus on post-disaster reconstruction, infrastructure project governance, constructability of infrastructure, and project management in developing countries. Notable projects include risk management frameworks using blockchain, circular economy in Saudi construction, and BIPV energy solutions. He actively supervises HDR students in areas like public-sector project success determinants and thermal environment studies. Bambang serves as Higher Degree Research Delegate Authority (HDR DA) for the School of PCPM and teaches postgraduate project management programs. Professional memberships include AIPM, PMI, and ASCE. His industry advisory roles include Indonesia's National Construction Service Development Board (2002-2007) and Australia-Indonesia Centre's Infrastructure Cluster (2016-2018). Recent research emphasizes BIM applications in infrastructure preservation, risk assessment methodologies, and climate-resilient construction. His work bridges theory and practice, addressing challenges in emerging economies and complex project environments.
