This Chair is dedicated to advancing our understanding of the complex relationship between the ocean, land and atmospheric systems. A relationship that is fundamental to shaping Africa’s weather and climate. These interconnected systems drive rainfall variability, droughts, floods and other extreme events that directly affect livelihoods. The research of the Chair in Ocean and Atmospheric Modelling, hosted by the Department of Oceanography and embedded within the Nansen-Tutu Centre for Marine Environmental Research, focuses on improving the understanding, modelling and prediction of land-ocean-atmosphere interactions, as well the occurrence of droughts, floods, heat stress and marine heatwaves.

Research undertaken by the Chair has resulted in improved drought simulations in the Western Cape, strengthening water-resource planning, as well as a deeper understanding of the movement of moisture and dust and how these processes shape rainfall across Africa, insights that are critical for regional food security. The work also includes ocean-focused research on marine heatwaves, sea-level rise and vertical crustal movement, advancing understanding of the ocean’s role in regulating climate and sustaining coastal livelihoods. In addition, the Chair has investigated geoengineering techniques such as stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI), offering nuanced perspectives on their potential impacts on drought management, heat stress risks, agriculture, rangeland productivity and ecosystems – helping to ensure that African perspectives inform the global governance of geoengineering.

Collectively, these studies refine climate models, strengthen predictive capacity, and provide actionable knowledge for adaptation, enhancing resilience, sustainability, and food security across the continent.