Ian Frederick Allison
AO AAM FAA is an internationally recognised Australian
glaciologist
Glaciology (; ) is the scientific study of glaciers, or, more generally, ice and natural phenomena that involve ice.
Glaciology is an interdisciplinary Earth science that integrates geophysics, geology, physical geography, geomorphology, clim ...
and climate scientist. He was elected a Fellow of the
Australian Academy of Science
The Australian Academy of Science was founded in 1954 by a group of distinguished Australians, including Australian Fellows of the Royal Society of London. The first president was Sir Mark Oliphant. The academy is modelled after the Royal Soci ...
in 2016 in recognition of his work in understanding the role of "sea ice and Antarctica in the global climate system".
Career and impact
Allison received his MSc and PhD both in Meteorology from the
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne (colloquially known as Melbourne University) is a public university, public research university located in Melbourne, Australia. Founded in 1853, it is Australia's second oldest university and the oldest in the state ...
in 1970 and 1987 respectively.
He worked at the
Australian Antarctic Division
The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) is a division of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment & Water. The division undertakes science programs and research projects to contribute to an understanding of Antarctica and the S ...
for 42 years.
His research focuses on the global climate system and in particular the role of Antarctica in the world's climate.
His research spans disciplines including ice shelf-ocean interaction, meteorology, glaciology and oceanography.
Allison led or participated in 25 expeditions to Antarctica,
and during this time he conducted foundational research on Antarctic sea ice.
His research documented the seasonal change in sea ice driven by its interaction with the water column and the atmosphere.
Allison was a lead author of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is an intergovernmental body of the United Nations. Its job is to "provide governments at all levels with scientific information that they can use to develop climate policies". The World Met ...
(IPCC) Second, Fourth and Fifth Assessment Reports. He also co-chaired the Joint Committee for the
International Polar Year
The International Polar Years (IPY) are collaborative, international efforts with intensive research focus on the polar regions. Karl Weyprecht, an Austro-Hungarian naval officer, motivated the endeavor in 1875, but died before it first occurred ...
2007-2008.
Awards and honours
Allison was awarded the
Australian Antarctic Medal
The Australian Antarctic Medal (stylised as post-nominal), originally designated the Antarctic Medal until 18 December 1997, is a meritorious service award of the Australian honours and awards system, instituted by Letters Patent on 2 June 19 ...
in 1988,
was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2014 "For distinguished service to the environment as a glaciologist, to furthering international understanding of the science of the Antarctic region, and to climate research"
and was elected a
Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science
The Fellowship of the Australian Academy of Science is made up of about 500 Australian scientists.
Scientists judged by their peers to have made an exceptional contribution to knowledge in their field may be elected to Fellowship of the Academy ...
in 2016.
He was awarded Tasmanian Senior Australian of the Year in 2016.
on the west side of
Heard Island
The Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands (HIMI) is an Australian external territory comprising a volcanic group of mostly barren Antarctic islands, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica. The group's overall land ...
is named in his honour.
References