David Karoly is internationally recognised as a world leader in climate dynamics and climate change science. In his early research, he carried out pioneering studies that provided the theoretical basis for understanding observed linkages between climate anomalies at large distances across the globe. He identified, for the first time, the links between El Niño–Southern Oscillation events and variations of the Southern Hemisphere circulation. His research has led the development of methods for the detection and attribution of climate change, most recently for extreme climate events. David is also an international leader in the public communication of climate science.