Biography
Tom was awarded his PhD in glacier-climate interactions by Loughborough University in 2013. He has since held lecturing positions in Maynooth University (Ireland), John Moores University, and Loughborough University. He arrived at King's College London in late 2021.
Note: Dr Tom Matthews is not recruiting for expedition members. Please beware of scam emails claiming otherwise.
Research
- Glacier-climate interactions, specialising in the numerical modelling of glacier melt
- Measuring the planet's most extreme weather
- The physical drivers of weather and climate extremes (heatwaves, tropical/extra-tropical cyclones)
- Compound weather and climate extremes
- Climate change projections and impacts
Tom's research focuses on environments and events that are meteorologically extreme. The former has seen him work extensively in mountain regions, including in the Himalaya where he co-led installation of the highest-altitude weather stations in the world on Mt. Everest. For the latter, Tom has led research on severe extra-tropical cyclones and compound events, but he specialises in extreme humid heat events, including their drivers and projected changes under climate warming.
Teaching
Undergraduate
6SSG3070 Global Climate Change: The past, present & future
5SSG2051 Climate Variability, Change And Society
4SSG1011 Principles of Geographical Inquiry
Postgraduate
7SSG5031 Modelling Environmental Change
7SSG5176 Fundamentals of Climate Change
PhD supervision
Projects areas Tom is happy to supervise:
- Projections of future glacier extent in High Mountain Asia under climate warming
- Hydroclimatic extremes in High Mountain Asia
- The physical drivers of extreme heat events
- Compound heat/tropical cyclone events
Ongoing PhD supervision:
- Benjamin Graves (Glacier and hydrological response to climate change in the Khumbu Valley, Nepal)
- Megan James
- Yue Meng (Aerosol-modulated heatwaves in South Asia)
Further details
Research
Centre for Integrated Research in Risk & Resilience
Bringing together research disciplines to shape a critical perspective on resilience and its application as a concept.
Physical & Environmental Geography research group
Researching the interactions between the Earth’s hydrological, geomorphological, atmospheric and ecological processes at different geographical scales.
Risk, Hazard & Society research group
Advancing understanding of risk and perception, as well as communication and regulation in a range of environmental, social and country contexts.
King's Climate Research Hub
Studying climate change through the relationship between science, policy and culture, particularly in the developing world.
King's Water Centre
Researching water, environment and development. Our centre spans the humanities, social, and physical sciences to explore the challenges of water governance from global to local scales.
Climate & sustainability researchers at King’s
King's researchers working across climate and sustainability
Elemental Adaptation: Water and energy security from artificial ice reservoirs
This project explores the potential of Artificial Ice Reservoirs (AIRs) as alternative water sources, and the implications in mountainous regions.
Project status: Ongoing
Centre for Ageing Resilience In a Changing Environment - CARICE
Welcome to the Centre for Ageing Resilience in a Changing Environment: CARICE
News
Future research leaders from King's receive prestigious UKRI fellowships
Three academics from King’s have been recognised as some of the UK's most promising researchers in science, having each been named a recipient of the coveted...
Experts warn of risk of civil unrest in UK due to food shortages
Leading food experts have pointed to a host of factors – including trade restrictions, a financial crash, a new pandemic, and crop and livestock diseases –...
Project to limit the impact of melting glaciers on nearby people and systems
A new research project led by King’s is working to better support the people and systems downstream of glaciers and limit the melting taking place due to...
King's academics to share research insights at pubs, cafés at the Pint of Science festival
Teams from across King’s are delivering talks, demonstrations and live experiments at the renowned public science festival.
Geography academic returns to Everest on Rolex and National Geographic expedition
Tom Matthews, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Geography, is leading the expedition team.
Events
CIRRR Christmas Lecture - Resilient cities: Risk, limits and thresholds
A discussion between Mark Pelling and CIRRR Directors Helen Adams and Tom Matthews will provide a critical take on some of the challenges to urban...
Please note: this event has passed.
Measuring Mount Everest’s weather
Winds blowing climbers into oblivion. Frostbite claiming entire limbs. Hear how Everest’s legendary weather matches reality, using insights from the...
Please note: this event has passed.
Features
'Places without postcards' highlights impact of climate change around the world
The Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy has created a collection of ‘postcards’ from key places around the globe that tell an important story around...
Research
Centre for Integrated Research in Risk & Resilience
Bringing together research disciplines to shape a critical perspective on resilience and its application as a concept.
Physical & Environmental Geography research group
Researching the interactions between the Earth’s hydrological, geomorphological, atmospheric and ecological processes at different geographical scales.
Risk, Hazard & Society research group
Advancing understanding of risk and perception, as well as communication and regulation in a range of environmental, social and country contexts.
King's Climate Research Hub
Studying climate change through the relationship between science, policy and culture, particularly in the developing world.
King's Water Centre
Researching water, environment and development. Our centre spans the humanities, social, and physical sciences to explore the challenges of water governance from global to local scales.
Climate & sustainability researchers at King’s
King's researchers working across climate and sustainability
Elemental Adaptation: Water and energy security from artificial ice reservoirs
This project explores the potential of Artificial Ice Reservoirs (AIRs) as alternative water sources, and the implications in mountainous regions.
Project status: Ongoing
Centre for Ageing Resilience In a Changing Environment - CARICE
Welcome to the Centre for Ageing Resilience in a Changing Environment: CARICE
News
Future research leaders from King's receive prestigious UKRI fellowships
Three academics from King’s have been recognised as some of the UK's most promising researchers in science, having each been named a recipient of the coveted...
Experts warn of risk of civil unrest in UK due to food shortages
Leading food experts have pointed to a host of factors – including trade restrictions, a financial crash, a new pandemic, and crop and livestock diseases –...
Project to limit the impact of melting glaciers on nearby people and systems
A new research project led by King’s is working to better support the people and systems downstream of glaciers and limit the melting taking place due to...
King's academics to share research insights at pubs, cafés at the Pint of Science festival
Teams from across King’s are delivering talks, demonstrations and live experiments at the renowned public science festival.
Geography academic returns to Everest on Rolex and National Geographic expedition
Tom Matthews, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Geography, is leading the expedition team.
Events
CIRRR Christmas Lecture - Resilient cities: Risk, limits and thresholds
A discussion between Mark Pelling and CIRRR Directors Helen Adams and Tom Matthews will provide a critical take on some of the challenges to urban...
Please note: this event has passed.
Measuring Mount Everest’s weather
Winds blowing climbers into oblivion. Frostbite claiming entire limbs. Hear how Everest’s legendary weather matches reality, using insights from the...
Please note: this event has passed.
Features
'Places without postcards' highlights impact of climate change around the world
The Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy has created a collection of ‘postcards’ from key places around the globe that tell an important story around...