Rate My Professor Simon Donner

Simon Donner is a Professor in the Department of Geography and the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability at the University of British Columbia. He holds additional appointments in the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries. Donner earned a PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2002, a Master of Environmental Management from Duke University, and a Bachelor of Arts and Science from McMaster University. His research focuses on the intersection of climate change science, marine science, and policy, with particular emphasis on coral reefs, ocean warming, and climate adaptation. He serves as Director of the UBC Climate Solutions Research Collective and as Graduate Advisor for the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability.

Donner was a lead author on the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change assessment report and previously served as co-chair of Canada’s Net-Zero Advisory Body. He is actively engaged in translating climate science for public audiences through talks, events, and media. His teaching covers the science of climate and global change as well as societal implications. Donner maintains an extensive publication record on topics including coral bleaching, marine heatwaves, and climate policy, with recent works appearing in journals such as Nature Communications, Global Change Biology, and Science.