Jennifer (Jenny) Hutchings

Research Interests

Dr. Hutchings research interests revolve around sea ice dynamics and mechanics. She is active in field work to support validation and development of rheological models of sea ice deformation for climate investigations and ice drift and dispersion forecasting. Jenny participates in the development and use of sea ice rheology models in climate and regional studies. Her interests include ocean-atmosphere interactions as modified by an evolving ice cover, and developing our understanding of how changing mechanical properties of the ice pack relate to positive and negative feedbacks in the arctic climate system. It is through these investigations we can understand the recent changes in sea ice volume. Jenny participates in Ice Watch, a program to standardise collection and archiving of visual observations of sea ice. Sea ice change has been dramatic over the last 40 years, and with that change comes opportunities and risks for Arctic communities, exploration and shipping in the polar regions. Jenny’s expertise sea ice dynamics has driven her interest in improving methods of sea ice analysis and forecasting relevant for operational navigational needs that can enhance safety of polar marine operations.

Publications

See Jenny Hutchings on Google Scholar.

Feature Story

Freeze frame: A student’s snapshot of the MOSAiC expedition by Daniel Watkins