Profile picture of John Christian

John Christian

Assistant Professor
Geography
Phone: 541-346-4543
Office: 173 Condon Hall, 1251 University of Oregon, Eugene OR 97403
Office Hours: M 2-3, W 2-3, or by appointment
Research Interests: glacier and ice-sheet dynamics, climate, earth-system models

Research Interests

My research focuses on the dynamics of glaciers and ice sheets and their relationships to climate. I study a range of settings, from small mountain glaciers in the Pacific Northwest to the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets. I primarily use theoretical and computational models of ice flow, as well as data-oriented methods. My research targets the physical processes underlying glacier dynamics, often with the goal of understanding particular aspects of glacier change in the context of a warming climate. For example, a major current focus is disentangling the dynamic response of glaciers to human-driven climate change versus natural climate variability.  

Please see my personal website for more information on my research and current opportunities for students or postdocs. Those interested in joining my research group or otherwise collaborating are encouraged to email me to discuss further. 

 

Back to Top

Teaching

Upcoming courses (Spring 2026)

GEOG 361: Global Environmental Change

  • Natural and human-induced changes in the Earth System and their impact on different environmental systems

GEOG 421/521: Advanced Climatology Topics: Climate and Ice 

  • Description: The cryosphere (snow, sea ice, glaciers and ice sheets) has played a key role in the long story of Earth’s climate and landscapes. Today, changes in the cryosphere also impact society on local and global scales. This topics course will introduce the study of the physical cryosphere within the context of the climate system. We will cover the climatology and geography of ice (where is it found and why?), key elements of ice dynamics (how does it form, flow, fracture, and melt?), and we will focus in particular on how different elements of the cryosphere respond to climate variability and change. We will draw on established theory and literature within this field, as well as current data and observations of the changing cryosphere. 

 

Back to Top