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Karin Kirk is a geologist and freelance writer with a background in climate education. She’s a scientist by training, but the human elements of climate change occupy most of her current work. Karin is particularly intrigued by how people talk and think about climate change, how it divides them, and the many ways individuals and society can help carry the climate conversation forward.

Karin has worked in many facets of climate change, beginning with undergraduate and graduate studies in paleoclimatology and human influences on the climate system. Her climate-focused work includes teaching in the classroom, designing curriculum, and leading faculty workshops to strengthen teaching about climate and energy. She has migrated her efforts from the classroom to the general public, via her TEDx talk and writing for Yale Climate Connections, EARTH magazine, and other venues.

In addition to her writing work, Karin is part of CLEAN, a NOAA-sponsored project to improve teaching about climate and energy. She also worked with NOAA’s Climate Program Office to evaluate the effectiveness of the Climate.gov website. Previously, she worked for the Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College, collaborating with educators and academics to improve science teaching practices. She works on civic engagement around climate and energy issues in her home state of Montana.

Karin holds a B.A. in geology from Skidmore College and an M.S. in geology from Montana State University. She is a professional ski instructor and guide.