Professor Paul Kench is a globally recognised coral reef geoscientist and currently holds the position of Professor of Tropical Coastal Change at the National University of Singapore. Over the past two decades, he has conducted extensive fieldwork across atoll nations in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, examining formation and physical dynamics of low-lying coral reef islands, and their ability to adjust to changing environmental boundary conditions. His work has resolved the dynamic processes that govern island formation and change and highlighted the importance of reef structure, growth, and productivity for island maintenance. These insights have transformed scientific understanding of the evolution and resilience of coral reef islands in the face of climatic variability and rising sea levels, reshaping global narratives around the possible trajectories of reef islands over the coming decades. His work has directly informed national adaptation strategies, empowering governments and communities to plan for sustainable futures amid environmental uncertainty.

Professor Kench earned his PhD from the University of New South Wales, and has held academic appointments at leading institutions including the University of Melbourne, University of Waikato, University of Auckland, Simon Fraser University in Canada, and National University of Singapore.