Dr. Rowan Gard

Biography

Rowan Gard is an environmental social scientist whose work focuses on how people understand and respond to climate change and environmental degradation. He studies the human stories behind the climate crisis—how communities adapt, resist, and create change. His research spans coral coasts in Oceania and river catchments in the UK, exploring what resilience means in practice. In addition to his academic work, Rowan is an editor for the International Social Science Journal and a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, the Royal Anthropological Institute, and the Higher Education Academy. Previously, he held posts at University College London, the Universities of Edinburgh, Hawaiʻi, and St Andrews, and has worked in several museums, including the Bishop Museum in Honolulu and the Hearst Museum of Anthropology at the University of California, Berkeley. He co-founded Young Sea Changers Scotland, a youth-led charity that amplifies young voices in marine conservation policy. With a passion for interdisciplinary research and teaching, Rowan explores climate justice and innovative approaches to sustainability and education. He is particularly interested in how arts and storytelling can serve as catalysts for climate dialogue, fostering critical and creative approaches to ecological futures. Rowan was shortlisted for the 2025 King’s Teaching Excellence Award in the Student Support category.

Research Interests

Experience