Michael is the Head of ASPI's Climate and Security Policy Centre. He previously led the Centre's projects from 2022-2024, focused on assessing the security implications of Indo-Pacific climate change impacts for Australia.

Prior to this role, Michael worked with the Government of Canada from 2012-2022 in various environment and climate policy roles. This included supporting the development of Canada’s national climate mitigation plans in 2016 and 2020, assisting with the development of national climate adaptation policy, and delivering climate services by helping decision-makers understand and use climate data.

Michael has a long-standing interest in understanding the relationships between climate change and security. He holds a BA Honours from McGill University in Montreal (2011), and an MA in Public & International Affairs from the University of Ottawa (2013). His Master’s research evaluated the methods used to identify quantifiable relationships between climate events and conflict outcomes.

Prior to leaving Canada in late 2021, Michael served as an emergency management volunteer with the Canadian Red Cross from 2015-2021. He retains an interest in understanding how humanitarian response organizations will adapt to future climate impacts, both within developed and developing countries.