Rate My Professor Douglas Parker

Professor Douglas Parker is Professor of Meteorology at the University of Leeds, with a joint position in the School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability and the School of Mathematics. He holds a PhD in Meteorology from the University of Reading and an MA in Mathematics from the University of Cambridge. His research examines the physics and fluid dynamics of the climate system, focusing on the dynamics of weather systems such as cumulonimbus storms, cyclones, and monsoons in a changing climate. Through observational and theoretical studies, his group develops models to understand these systems' interactions with global circulation, their societal impacts, and contributions to improved weather and climate predictions. Notable studies include soil moisture influences on West African rainfall and cloud processes in UK storms, informing Met Office forecasting systems.

Parker has led significant initiatives, including the AMMA programme's UK component (2003-2019), where he directed AMMA-UK, the radiosonde programme, and special observing periods; and co-leading the African SWIFT project (2017-2022), enhancing African weather forecasting resilience via collaborations with 16 partners. He coordinated the Leeds-Met Office partnership (2010-2019), led NCAS Science Group at Leeds (2021-2024), and serves as adjunct professor at NORCE-Climate, Bergen (2021-2025). Key publications feature "Meteorology of Tropical West Africa: The Forecasters' Handbook" (2014, French edition), alongside papers on tripling Sahelian extreme storms since 1982 (2017) and moist convection in West African monsoons (2013). Awards include the L.F. Richardson Prize (1999), Royal Society Wolfson Merit Award (2013-2018), Royal Meteorological Society Vaisala Award (2014), Leeds Vice-Chancellor’s Impact Award (2015), and contribution to the 2021 Queen’s Anniversary Prize.