James Kirkham

Glaciologist and Climate Scientist

Dr. James Kirkham is a glaciologist and climate scientist. He received his PhD and MPhil degrees in Antarctic climate science from the University of Cambridge and the British Antarctic survey, and a BSc in geography from Durham University. He has undertaken two field campaigns to Antarctica as a geophysicist with the British Antarctic Survey, including to Thwaites Glacier — one of the most rapidly changing and unstable glaciers in the world. He also worked as a snow scientist at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) in Nepal, installing and analysing high-altitude weather stations to improve understanding of high-mountain water security. James now serves as the Chief Science Advisor and Coordinator of the Ambition on Melting Ice (AMI) High-level Group on Sea-level Rise and Mountain Water Resources.

A man with brown hair and a beard, dressed in a blue jacket and multicolored scarf, stands outdoors near icy water with an iceberg in the background.