Kikki (Helga) Flesche Kleiven

I am the Director at the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research (BCCR), where I use my diverse background to lead a research collaboration with 297 scientists from 47 different nationalities. BCCRs research focuses on reconstructing, observing, and modelling the climate system with special emphasize on polar regions and the ocean. BCCR also focuses its expertise on climate hazards and extremes and regional climate information for climate services—increasing its relevance and influence through 'science on demand’ tailored to the needs of different audiences and stakeholders. 

I believe actionable knowledge is vital for informed decision making, providing the fullest spectrum of knowledge about potential changes (including high impact but low or unknown probability events) that we need to avoid, as well as clarifying how high certainty events will play out to build appropriate and robust adaption strategies. I have wide scientific, administrative, and educational leadership experience. 

I am an expert in paleoceanography with focus on reconstructing ocean and climate change during past warm periods and experience from leading national and international research projects and marine expeditions. I have long experience with funding agencies, strong national, Nordic, and international collaboration, and broad experience from international research coordination. 

I am strongly engaged in dissemination of climate knowledge for building awareness and preparedness—working on climate services and national outreach campaigns with the Norwegian ministry of Climate and Environment and the Norwegian Environment Agency, with emphasis on IPCC dissemination and acting as a climate advisor to Norwegian national and local politicians. I am frequently invited as a climate expert in media, for NGO’s, industry and business companies and is a renowned public speaker delivering presentations extolling importance of climate awareness. 

I am motivated by the pressing needs for clear scientific messages at a critical time for our planet. To this end I believe my experience and insights will contribute to this. Leading a transdisciplinary climate research center, I have insights into the latest research over a broad scope of topics in climate science. I have close links with authorities and other decision-makers and thus understand their knowledge needs. Through extensive outreach activities, I have a broad awareness of citizen concerns and how emerging scientific knowledge is best disseminated to reach different stakeholders.