Francis is Stantec’s science director for Climate Solutions. He’s spent more than 25 years working in the marine environment throughout the world—and he’s fluent in English, French, German, and Spanish, so that helps. As part of his role, he designs, implements, and manages large multidisciplinary, multi-institutional marine ecosystems programs that address important socio-ecological issues related to the ocean and its uses.
Given the pivotal role of the world’s oceans in climate change, Francis is active in increasing climate change awareness and providing solutions—working for and with academia, government, non-profits, and industry. Throughout his career, he has extensively focused on marine environmental impacts that result from climate change and other anthropogenic stressors. His work features system science, adaptive management, resilience, and environmental policy. Francis is also a technical reviewer for over 20 international journals and serves on a variety of national and international science panels, committees, and working groups.
Not surprisingly, when he’s away from the office, Francis is still near, on, or under the water—kayaking, sailing, diving, or serving as a scientist/lecturer on Antarctic cruise ships. He also explores the Alaska terra firma via bicycle.
