People > Investigators > Steven Chown

Steven Chown


Professor Steven Chown is an award-winning biologist and one of the most highly cited researchers working on Antarctic environmental science and policy. He has represented the science community in the Antarctic Treaty System in a variety of roles, notably as President of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) (2016-2021) and as SCAR’s representative to the Antarctic Treaty’s Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP) (2007-2014). In 2021, he was recognised by the French Republic as the scientist who has most contributed to the work of the CEP through his science and activities, through the award of the Medal of the 30th Anniversary of the Madrid Protocol.

Steven’s research leadership concerns the development of major research endeavours to understand environmental change at global scales and the mitigation of and adaptation to its impacts regionally and locally. He has pioneered interdisciplinary research, such as through the development of the field of macrophysiology, and transdisciplinary practice such as within the Revitalising Informal Settlements and their Environments program.

His research has a substantial fundamental foundation and significant social good translational application. Steven is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and an elected honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

People > Investigators > Steven Chown
Steven Chown

Steven Chown


SAEF Director

Monash University

Professor Steven Chown is an award-winning biologist and one of the most highly cited researchers working on Antarctic environmental science and policy. He has represented the science community in the Antarctic Treaty System in a variety of roles, notably as President of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) (2016-2021) and as SCAR’s representative to the Antarctic Treaty’s Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP) (2007-2014). In 2021, he was recognised by the French Republic as the scientist who has most contributed to the work of the CEP through his science and activities, through the award of the Medal of the 30th Anniversary of the Madrid Protocol.

Steven’s research leadership concerns the development of major research endeavours to understand environmental change at global scales and the mitigation of and adaptation to its impacts regionally and locally. He has pioneered interdisciplinary research, such as through the development of the field of macrophysiology, and transdisciplinary practice such as within the Revitalising Informal Settlements and their Environments program.

His research has a substantial fundamental foundation and significant social good translational application. Steven is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and an elected honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

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