Ocean Expert Joins UCF as Director of the National Center for Integrated Coastal Research

Ivan Haigh spent his childhood far from the sea. Growing up in Zambia, located in the landlocked South-Central area of Africa, Haigh didn’t see the ocean until his family began taking annual weeklong trips to Durban, South Africa, to visit family. While there, they would spend time on the beach. A fascination with the sea quickly took root in Haigh and eventually blossomed into a successful and impactful career as an oceanographer.

Now, Haigh is ready to embark on a new chapter in his career. This fall, he joins the university as the director of UCF’s National Center for Integrated Coastal Research (UCF Coastal) and a professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering.

“UCF’s strong interdisciplinary approach and commitment to community engagement perfectly match my belief that science should have real-world impact,” Haigh says. “I’m thrilled to bring my experience to this new chapter, helping to drive innovative coastal research and resilience in a region that feels surprisingly like home — with a climate much closer to Zambia than the chilly English winters that I won’t miss.”

Directing UCF Coastal

As director of UCF Coastal, Haigh plans to establish the center as a globally recognized hub for interdisciplinary coastal science. In addition to the innovative research driven by the faculty, he also says he hopes the center will deliver tangible, real-world solutions to the challenges faced by Florida’s shoreside communities.

“By fostering collaboration across [several] fields, the center will develop holistic strategies to address the complex and interconnected issues of sea-level rise, storm impacts, habitat loss and coastal resilience.”

“I envision UCF Coastal as a vibrant bridge connecting [various] disciplines, including engineering, environmental science, social science, conservation, public policy, community planning and emergency management,” Haigh says. “By fostering collaboration across these fields, the center will develop holistic strategies to address the complex and interconnected issues of sea-level rise, storm impacts, habitat loss and coastal resilience.”

Haigh says UCF Coastal will cultivate an environment where all researchers can flourish, including students. They can get involved in hands-on research, mentorships and in new student-led initiatives. He encourages early-career researchers to learn more by attending upcoming events and seminars or by connecting with him via email. Students can also look forward to future studies with Haigh, who will develop a course on coastal science and resilience that he plans to teach during his second year with UCF.

For now, Haigh will focus on bringing his vision for UCF Coastal to fruition while building a second academic home at the university. He says he is grateful for the warm welcome he has already received from the UCF community.

“As I embark on this exciting new chapter, I’m eager to work alongside such talented and passionate colleagues and students, united by a shared mission to advance coastal science and build resilient communities,” Haigh says. “Together, I’m confident we can make a lasting, meaningful impact that reaches far beyond our shores.”

Studying Across the Pond

At age 19, Haigh left Zambia to attend college in England. He enrolled in the University of Southampton, where he discovered his passion for the ocean.

“I vividly remember a lecture on tidal dynamics and sea level change, given by the late David Pugh, where everything clicked; I knew this was what I wanted to dedicate my life to,” Haigh says. “Since then, I’ve been fortunate to spend over 25 years exploring the complex and dynamic world of coastal science, working on [varied] and stunning coastlines across the globe.”

“I’ve been fortunate to spend over 25 years exploring the complex and dynamic world of coastal science, working on [varied] and stunning coastlines across the globe.”

After earning his bachelor’s degree in oceanography, he worked in the industry before returning to the University of Southampton for his doctoral degree. He completed his postdoctoral studies in Australia before returning to his alma mater as a faculty member.

In addition to his work in academia, Haigh has contributed to several coastal projects around the globe. In Vietnam, he mapped the current and future flood risks of the Mekong River Delta, considered one of the world’s most sensitive coastal regions. In the U.K., he developed innovative methods to predict and manage coastal erosion and flood risks, leading to the creation of the Thames Estuary 2100 Plan, which protects London from flooding. He also has current partnerships with government agencies in the U.K., the U.S. and the Netherlands to explore how storm surge barriers perform under extreme storms and long-term sea-level rise to ensure they stay effective for decades to come.

Although he will bring this experience and expertise to UCF, Haigh is leaving his first academic home behind. He says he’s grateful for the friendships and collaborations he’s developed over the years, but looks forward to doing the same at UCF.

“Leaving was not an easy choice; Southampton holds deep professional and personal connections for me,” Haigh says. “But the chance to lead UCF Coastal was too exciting to pass up.”