Terry Callaghan started his career as an arctic plant ecologist in 1967. Over 47 years, he has worked in every arctic country and has been in the field during each of 45 years. From an initial interest in plant population dynamics and ecophysiology, his research has developed into effects of UV-B radiation on ecosystems, ecosystem science, the science of the whole arctic system related to environmental change, and traditional ecological knowledge. He has developed several scientific fields and has led many initiatives, contributing to major arctic and global organisations and environmental assessments including IPCC.
In 1967, Terry became part of the International Biological Programme Tundra Biome Project and developed networking skills. For 14 years, he led the Abisko Scientific Research Station in Swedish Lapland and in 2001 developed a network of 9 research stations in the North Atlantic Region. By 2010, this network had grown to 33 research stations located throughout the Arctic and stretching into lower latitude forest and alpine regions. The resulting infrastructure project “INTERACT” (www.eu-interact.og) was funded by the EU. Currently, Terry and a small team of friends coordinate the network which has grown to 58 stations and is still expanding.
Terry Callaghan currently holds a Distinguished Research Professor position at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, is Professor of Arctic Ecology at the University of Sheffield, UK, and is Professor of Botany at Tomsk State University, Russia.
During his career, Terry has published 420 scientific publications and is included as a “Most Cited Researcher” on the Web of Science. His contributions to science have been recognised by numerous awards including Honorary Ph.D.s from Sweden, Finland and Russia, medals from H.M. the King of Sweden and H.M. Queen Elisabeth of England, and inclusion in the joint award of the Nobel Peace Prize to IPCC in 2007.