Oxford scientists working as part of climatepredicion.net have contributed to a special report for the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society entitled “Explaining Extreme Events of 2012 from a climate perspective” released 5th Sep 2013. Overall, 18 different research teams from around the world contributed to the peer-reviewed report that examined the causes of 12 extreme events that occurred on five continents and in the Arctic.

Summer 2013

Our latest Department newsletter is now available to download in PDF format here. Have a look at the wide range of work that we do in front-line research, teaching, public outreach and school education. We would welcome contributions to future newsletters from undergraduate or postgraduate alumni and previous members of the physics department.

Tim Palmer has been elected to the 2013 class of American Geophysical Union Fellows (AGU).
The Fellows program recognizes AGU members who have attained acknowledged eminence in the Earth and space sciences as valued by their peers and vetted by a committee of Fellows. The primary criterion for evaluation of scientific eminence is a major breakthrough or discovery, paradigm shift, or sustained impact.

Richard Passmore, a current student within Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics at The University of Oxford, has won a prestigious scholarship to attend summer camp at the International Space University (ISU) Space Studies Program (SSP13).

A new study led by Oxford University concludes that the latest observations of the climate system's response to rising greenhouse gas levels are consistent with conventional estimates of the long-term 'climate sensitivity', despite a "warming pause" over the past decade. However, the most extreme rates of warming simulated by the current generation of climate models over 50-100 year timescales are looking less likely, according to the paper published online by Nature Geoscience.

On Tuesday 26 February at 2pm in the Sheldonian there will be an open afternoon to showcase the diversity of climate research in Oxford, and give a flavour of the opportunities for research and collaboration across departments. Open to all, including undergraduates thinking about climate research; graduates, post-docs and faculty, to learn about what is going on in other departments; and interested members of the public. This event is organised by the Oxford Climate Research Network.

Message from Roger Davies, Philip Wetton Professor of Astrophysics, University of Oxford

Dear all,

The 11th January this year marked the first anniversary of Steve Rawlings’ death. It has been a very difficult twelve months – Steve was a much loved colleague and is greatly missed as both a person and a phenomenal astrophysicist.