Professor Kent Moore elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada

Arctic icebergs in Greenland

Kent Moore, Distinguished Professor of Theoretical Geophysics of Climate Change and UTM’s Vice-Principal, Research and Innovation, has been recognized by the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) for his outstanding research and scholarly achievements.  

The prestigious distinction is the highest honour a Canadian can achieve in the Arts, Sciences and Social Sciences. Since 1882, new Fellows from all branches of learning have been nominated and elected to the RSC by their peers, with more than 3,700 of Canada’s most distinguished scholars and artists inducted into the fellowship. 

Kent Moore

“I am deeply honoured to be recognized by my peers in this way, and to join the many worthy Canadians who have come before me,” says Moore, who notes that the work of his collaborators and his many students over the years contributed to this recognition.   

“And I am particularly thankful to be a part of the U of T community,” he adds. “The University of Toronto and the University of Toronto Mississauga have provided an exceptional environment that has allowed me to thrive.”  

For over 30 years, Moore’s innovative and insightful research in the Arctic and in mountainous regions has crossed disciplinary boundaries and transformed our understanding of the impacts of climate change. It’s work that has fostered excellence in climate science, contributing to Canada’s global leadership in the field. 

Moore has published more than 200 peer-reviewed manuscripts, trained and mentored a large, diverse collection of students and fellows, and he has received over 65 national and international grants and awards. His research has been cited numerous times in policy documents, and his strong media presence has established Moore as a sought-after climate and environmental communicator. More than 150 news articles have been written about his work.  

In 2017, Moore was the Fulbright Visiting Chair in Arctic Studies at the University of Washington; in 2018, he was elected a fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society; and from 2017-2022, he was a representative of the Government of Canada on the International Arctic Science Committee, serving as the Vice-Chair of its Atmospheric Working Group. Earlier this year, Moore was awarded the 2023 Patterson Medal by Environment and Climate Change Canada for his contributions in the field of Canadian meteorology.  

Moore joins 104 new Fellowsincluding 18 from U of T — who have been elected by their peers for their outstanding scholarly, scientific and artistic achievement. The incoming cohort will be inducted on Friday, November 8, 2024 at a ceremony as part of the RSC 2024 Celebration of Excellence and Engagement in Vancouver, British Columbia.