Dann Mitchell – The Conversation

A still from Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) where the fellowship attempts to cross the Misty Mountains. New Line Cinema

March 11, 2026

Do Middle‑earth and Westeros make sense? Climate scientists modelled them to find out

John Cook, The University of Melbourne; Alex Farnsworth, University of Bristol; Dan Lunt, University of Bristol, and Dann Mitchell, University of Bristol

It’s a seemingly whimsical exercise, but it serves serious purposes.

Phew: heat plus humidity can make Bangkok an uncomfortable place in a heatwave. Pavel V.Khon/SHutterstock

May 31, 2023

Alan Thomas Kennedy-Asser, University of Bristol; Dann Mitchell, University of Bristol, and Eunice Lo, University of Bristol

A heatwave isn’t just about the temperature.

People take refuge on a sports ground following flooding caused by Cyclone Idai in Mozambique. DFID/Flickr

May 12, 2022

Laurence Hawker, University of Bristol; Dann Mitchell, University of Bristol, and Natalie Lord, University of Bristol

Rising populations and a warming climate mean storm surges from super cyclones are likely to affect increasing numbers of vulnerable people.

The epic fantasy series has been turned into a tv show on Amazon. JAN THIJS/AMAZON STUDIOS

December 21, 2021

Dann Mitchell, University of Bristol; Emily Ball, University of Bristol; Rebecca Áilish Atkinson, University of Sussex, and Sebastian Steinig, University of Bristol

We modelled the climate of the far future planet Earth in which the fantasy series is set.

As heat levels increase, mental health conditions are likely to worsen. Pxfuel

October 27, 2021

Mary Zhang, University of Bristol; Dann Mitchell, University of Bristol, and Vikki Thompson, University of Bristol

Research shows how heat can have negative effects on emotional states, mental health conditions and aggressive behaviours.

A snowy start to the day at Watlington station, King’s Lynn. December 18 2009. Lewis Collard/Wikipedia

December 17, 2020

Alan Thomas Kennedy-Asser, University of Bristol; Dann Mitchell, University of Bristol, and Eunice Lo, University of Bristol

Since 1979, the average number of snow days has fallen by about five per decade.