Summary
Dr Michael Allis is an independent consultant specialising in coastal hazards, climate change resilience and adaptation, with 15 years’ experience in engineering and applied science/research roles. Dr Allis has undertaken a wide range of engineering, consulting and engagement projects for clients including local, regional, and central government, development partners, and industry in New Zealand and across 9 Pacific Islands.
Building on an engineering foundation, Dr Allis has experience conducting coastal hazard, exposure, vulnerability, and risk assessments from local to national scale. This includes developing risk management strategies, collaborating with socio-cultural engagement specialists, evaluating options and adaptation pathways, and undertaking implementation planning and review. He has created and communicated robust strategies for managing and adapting to coastal effects of climate change, with particular consideration of pathways that balance community needs and expectations with engineering limitations and hazard constraints
Dr Allis has a growing portfolio of climate change risk and vulnerability assessment activities in the Pacific Islands. This includes national-scale assessments of exposure to future coastal inundation with sea-level rise (Nauru, Kiribati, regional New Zealand), co-developing a Rapid Climate Risk Assessment Framework (Vanuatu), undertaking climate change analysis to inform five-year investment planning (Papua New Guinea), and roles within national vulnerability and adaptation assessments (RMI, Cook Islands). Michael has led risk assessments for project specific infrastructure including seawalls for causeways and roads (Kiribati, Fiji, NZ), airports (Timor-Leste, NZ), and water and sanitation systems (Nauru, FSM, NZ), amongst others.
Dr Allis is a capable science and engineering communicator, with over 50 written client reports and outputs, numerous presentations and workshops.
Recent consultancies are summarised in this profile - my full consultancy record can be provided in my CV by contacting me.