Rate My Professor Rolf Ims

Rolf Ims is Professor of Ecology in the Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics at Universitetet i Tromsø – The Arctic University of Norway, a position he has held since 2001. He concurrently serves as Scientific Advisor (20%) at the Norwegian Institute of Nature Research since 1995. Prior to UiT, Ims was Professor of Landscape Ecology at the University of Oslo from 1992 to 2001, following postdoctoral research associate roles there from 1989 to 1991 and his doctoral studies supported by the Norwegian Research Council from 1986 to 1989. He earned his PhD in ecology from the University of Oslo in 1989, M.Sc. in ecology in 1985, and B.Sc. with studies in chemistry, general biology, ecology, mathematics, and statistics in 1983, also from the University of Oslo.

Ims's research focuses on the dynamics of populations, communities, and ecosystems, especially in boreal and Arctic environments, impacts of climate change on these systems, and adaptive monitoring and management of populations and ecosystems. As leader of the COAT – Climate-ecological Observatory for Arctic Tundra, he directs integrated climate-ecological research and monitoring in the Arctic. His scholarly contributions include the edited book The Biology of Lemmings (Academic Press, 1993) and highly influential papers such as 'Determinants of lemming outbreaks' (PNAS, 2011), 'Arctic greening and bird nest predation risk across tundra ecotones' (Nature Climate Change, 2019), 'Density-dependent dispersal and spatial population dynamics' (Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 2005), and 'Trophic interaction cycles in tundra ecosystems and the impact of climate change' (BioScience, 2005). Ims has received major awards including the Nansen Award (1991), UiT’s Research and Development Prize (2016), Research Council of Norway’s Prize for Outstanding Research (2016), UiT’s Dissemination Prize (2022), and recognition as a Highly Cited Researcher and on Reuters' list of top climate scientists (2021). He is a member of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, Norwegian Academy of Polar Research, Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters, and Academia Borealis. Ims has served on numerous boards and committees, including vice-chair of the International Arctic Science Committee, chair of UiT research programs, and expert councils for Norwegian ministries, and held editorial roles such as Associate Editor for Animal Ecology and The American Naturalist.