February 2026

It has been nearly 20 years since I first became involved in the PCC. As a graduate student, I found the vast landscape of UW climate research both exhilarating and daunting. The PCC served as my guiding light, connecting me with students and faculty across the University and introducing me to cutting-edge research through interdisciplinary courses and events like the PCC Summer Institute. I can trace the roots of every research project I have worked on to the ideas and collaborations I formed through the PCC.

I am honored to now serve as the sixth Director of the PCC and look forward to giving back to this remarkable community. I want to extend a huge thank you to outgoing PCC Director Becky Alexander for her outstanding leadership over the past five years, as well as to recent Directors Cecilia Bitz and LuAnne Thompson for their dedication to building such a vibrant and supportive community.

The PCC is more vital now than ever amid the current challenges facing higher education and scientific research. We remain committed to meeting these challenges, and are able to do so in large part due to the generosity of our donors. Looking forward, will continue to strengthen our sense of community and foster interdisciplinary collaboration. Many thanks to the PCC Graduate Steering Committee (P-GraSC) for hosting monthly “Third Thursdays”, which have been a tremendous success. Additional highlights for the coming year include Graubard Fellowships for both incoming graduate students and students nearing the completion of their PhDs, efforts to grow our undergraduate Climate Minor, new rounds of Climate Research Acceleration and Climate Solutions grants, and the launch of a PCC Postdoctoral Fellow program.

I am especially looking forward to the 2026 PCC Summer Institute, to be held September 16-18 at Friday Harbor Laboratories. Please also join us for the annual Winter Welcome on Wednesday, March 11, to welcome new PCC members and vote on Summer Institute themes.

Supporting our students remains central to the PCC’s mission. The winter 2026 newsletter highlights many student perspectives and research and engagement made possible through our generous donors. I invite all members of our community, including PCC alumni, to stay engaged and share your ideas with us.

Kyle Armour
Director, Program on Climate Change
Professor in the Department of Atmospheric and Climate Science and the School of Oceanography