Prof. Ben Kennedy, Ph.D.

Ben Kennedy is a Professor in the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand.

He has been a professor at the University of Canterbury since 2008 and is an internationally recognised volcanologist and geoscience educator. In 2023, he received the New Zealand Prime Minister’s Science Communication Prize for his contributions to public engagement and science communication.

His research focuses on volcanology, volcanic hazards, and geoscience education, with a particular interest in understanding why volcanoes erupt and how volcanic processes can be better communicated to society. His work combines field-based and experimental volcanology with innovative approaches to teaching and learning. Current research includes magma behaviour under seismic shaking, lava-flow emplacement, volcanic-ballistic hazards, eruption forecasting, and digital tools for communicating volcanic risks.

Ben Kennedy is a member of the CAS Research Group “Enabling Deep Earth Access,” led by Prof. Dr. Yan Lavallée. In 2026/27, he is a Visiting Fellow at CAS.