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Friederike Otto
Senior Researcher and scientific coordinator climateprediction.net, University of Oxford
Friederike Otto is a prominent climatologist and researcher known for her significant contributions to the field of climate science, particularly in the area of extreme weather attribution. Born on August 29, 1982, in Kiel, Germany, she studied physics at the University of Potsdam and later earned a PhD in philosophy from the Free University of Berlin in 2012. Her unique academic background combines rigorous scientific inquiry with philosophical analysis, enabling her to approach climate issues from both technical and ethical perspectives.14
Career Highlights
- Environmental Change Institute (ECI): Otto worked at the ECI at the University of Oxford for nearly a decade, where she played a key role in advancing the field of attribution research. As an acting director and later as an honorary research associate, she focused on understanding how climate change influences extreme weather events.234
- World Weather Attribution (WWA): In 2014, she co-founded the WWA initiative, which aims to assess the extent to which human-induced climate change has affected specific extreme weather events. This project has been crucial in providing timely scientific evidence that informs public discourse and policy regarding climate change impacts.245
- Imperial College London: In October 2021, Otto transitioned to Imperial College London as a Senior Lecturer at the Grantham Institute for Climate Change and the Environment. She continues to lead research efforts that explore the intersection of climate science and societal vulnerability to extreme weather.14
Contributions and Recognition
Otto's work has garnered international recognition. She was named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in 2021 for her impactful research on climate change and extreme weather. Additionally, she has contributed to major reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), helping to shape global understanding of climate risks.145
Publications
She is also an author, with her book Angry Weather: Heat Waves, Floods, Storms, and the New Science of Climate Change published in 2019. This work aims to explain complex scientific concepts related to climate attribution to a broader audience.34
Current Focus
Otto's ongoing research investigates how climate change exacerbates extreme weather events such as heatwaves, floods, and droughts. Her findings not only advance scientific knowledge but also aim to influence policy decisions aimed at mitigating climate impacts globally.145
In summary, Friederike Otto is a leading figure in climate science whose interdisciplinary approach and pioneering work in attribution research continue to shape our understanding of climate change and its effects on extreme weather events.



