I specialize in the study of the climate of mountain regions. I have studied the hydroclimate dynamics of the Tibetan Plateau and the Tropical Andes, and led scientific expeditions in these regions.

My recent research has focused on the best ways to quantify past and future glacier changes and their related impacts, such as sea-level rise and changes in water resources. The community glacier model I developed (OGGM) has informed IPCC reports and policy briefs, serves as a cornerstone of global glacier data infrastructure, and is helping to train the next generation of climate scientists.

I am actively engaged in the areas of science communication, open education, and open source software. I contributed to the development of well-known Python packages such as OGGM, salem, and xarray. At Bristol, I am the Programme Director of the MSc in Climate Change Science and Policy.