Reading climate scientist recognised with exclusive fellowship

A Reading professor specialising in the study of how human activity affects Earth’s climate has been elected as an American Geophysical Union’s (AGU) Fellow.

Professor Keith Shine, Regius Professor of Meteorology and Climate Science at the University of Reading, joined 59 other individuals in the 2021 Class of Fellows – a group of less than 0.1% of AGU members have been elected each year since 1962.

Fellows are elected for their outstanding achievements and contributions in advancing science and embodying the AGU’s vision of a thriving, sustainable, and equitable future powered by discovery, innovation, and action. Only two other members of the University (Professors Jonathan Gregory and Ted Shepherd) are AGU Fellows.

Professor Shine’s research includes studies on the contribution of greenhouse gases, such as methane, to climate change, as well as changes to the Earth’s energy balance and the role played by water vapour in this.

He was a lead author of the 1995 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessment report, and was the first person to be appointed Regius Professor at Reading, a post awarded to the University by Her Majesty the Queen to mark her Diamond Jubulee.

Professor Shine said: “It is a great honour to be recognised by the geophysical community in the United States in this way. It is also recognition of excellent contributions from many colleagues and PhD students with whom I have worked closely over many years.”

AGU will formally recognise this year’s recipients during 2021 AGU Fall Meeting on 13-17 December 2021 in New Orleans, LA and broadcast online.

AGU, a nonprofit organization that supports 130,000 enthusiasts to experts worldwide in Earth and space sciences, annually recognises a select number of individuals as part of its Honors and Recognition program.