Professor Ivan D. Haigh is a prominent coastal and physical oceanographer. Born in Zambia, he moved to the UK at 19 and earned his bachelor’s degree in oceanography and mathematics, followed by a Ph.D. from the University of Southampton. After completing a postdoctoral fellowship in Western Australia, he returned to Southampton as a lecturer and rose to associate professor in 2016 before becoming full professor in sea level and coastal impacts in 2021. In 2022, he became the director of the UK’s Center for Doctoral Training for Resilient Flood Futures. Prior to academia, he also worked as a numerical modelling consultant with Associated British Ports Marine Environment Research. Haigh joined the University of Central Florida in 2025, as the director of the National Centre for Integrated Coastal Research

Haigh’s research focuses on three key themes. First, he studies how mean and extreme sea levels are changing over time and space, from seconds to centuries and from local to global scales. Second, he investigates the coastal impacts of sea-level change, particularly in cities, deltas, small islands, and cultural heritage sites. Third, he works on translating scientific insights into practical, local solutions for coastal adaptation. Ivan has published over 150 peer-reviewed papers, secured $30 million in research funding, and regularly advises governments, NGOs and industry worldwide.