The Centre’s graduate program, led by Graduate Director Professor Melissa Hart, supported 385 graduate students and 57 postdoctoral research fellows. Professor Hart served as an advisor, advocate, and point of contact for all participants, fostering the development of the next generation of climate science leaders. The ARC Centre for the Weather of the 21st Century maintains a vibrant graduate program. Learn more and apply here.
Career Outcomes
Graduates and researchers transitioned into successful roles worldwide:
- 43% in universities
- 31% in research institutions
- 8% in government
- 18% in the private sector, including data science, insurance, and environmental consultancies
Winter Schools
The Centre’s Winter Schools were a cornerstone of the graduate program, providing students with a broad understanding of climate science. Each week-long program included lectures and lab sessions delivered by senior researchers and early career researchers, offering in-depth training and development. Themes ranged from climate extremes to atmosphere and ocean dynamics, evolving annually from broad, foundational topics to more focused, advanced subjects requiring prior knowledge. These schools ensured students gained both specialised expertise and a holistic understanding of the discipline.
Science Fundamentals Lectures
Online and in-person lectures provided essential foundational knowledge and attracted participants from partner organisations globally. Please visit the ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes YouTube channel for the archive of the centre’s educational lectures.
Professional Development
The Centre’s training program covered key career-ready skills, including:
- Statistics and machine learning
- Science communication
- CV and interview preparation
- Data visualisation and media training
Undergraduate Summer Scholarships
Annual scholarships introduced Australian undergraduates to cutting-edge climate science, supervised by early career researchers, fostering student learning and supervisory experience.
Early Career Researchers (ECR) Committee
The ECR Committee represented postgraduates and early career researchers, providing professional development and connecting members with the Centre’s leadership, equipping graduates to lead the future of climate science.