Currently, Dr Sparrow is the Head of WMO’s Climate Research Division and am responsible for managing the staff of the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), with additional particular foci on polar, cryospheric and ocean activities. As a Polar Focal Point for the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), he leads input to relevant fora, including the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings, and is the contact point for several Arctic Council Working Groups. He is also a member of several high-level groups such as SCAR’ Expert Group on Antarctic Climate Change and the Environment (ACCE), ESA’s Climate Science Advisory Body and the 10 New Insights in Climate Science Oversight Board.

Previously, Dr Sparrow was Executive Director of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR). During this time, his role was to guide and implement SCAR’s vision and objectives, develop and implement SCAR activities, assist in raising external funds, oversee SCAR’s communications, represent SCAR at international meetings and manage the SCAR Secretariat.

Dr Sparrow is a Southern Ocean oceanographer, with a PhD in Oceanography, a Masters degree in Atmospheric Sciences and a Bachelors in Physics.