Kaitlin Naughten

CR Cryospheric Sciences

The 2026 Arne Richter Award for Outstanding Early Career Scientists is awarded to Kaitlin Naughten for pioneering modelling studies of Antarctic ice–ocean interactions and their implications for sea-level rise, as well as for outstanding leadership in polar climate science.

Kaitlin Naughten is a pioneering researcher whose work is transforming our understanding of Antarctic ice-ocean interactions; one of the most critical and least understood components of the climate system. Her innovative modelling studies have helped uncover how past and future climate change is likely to shape the rate of ice-shelf melting in West Antarctica, with profound implications for global sea-level rise. Naughten’s work stands out not only for its technical sophistication, developing and coupling state-of-the-art ocean and ice-sheet models, but also for the scientific insights it has yielded. She has shown that current ice loss from the Antarctic Ice Sheet is a delayed response to past climate change, and that future warming could trigger runaway melting. These findings are shaping the direction of polar research and informing global climate assessments.

Beyond the science, Naughten is recognised for her exceptional leadership and mentorship. Despite her Early Career status, she supervises multiple postdoctoral researchers and PhD candidates, and plays a central role in major international research programmes. She has been instrumental in integrating ice-sheet dynamics into the UK Earth System Model, used for national policy and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projections, a remarkable responsibility for a researcher that qualifies as an Early Career Scientist.

Naughten's career trajectory reflects resilience and commitment. She has maintained a high level of scientific output and impact despite extended periods of leave and part-time work. She actively contributes to science communication and advocacy, including a long-running blog, media interviews, and a podcast series on disability in the Earth sciences, demonstrating her deep commitment to inclusion and public engagement. It is without doubt that her groundbreaking scientific contributions, leadership, and dedication to community engagement make her a truly worthy recipient of this year's Arne Richter Award for Outstanding Early Career Scientist in the Cryospheric Sciences Division.