About

Background Information

Photo by Greg Land

James Wanliss (pronounced One-liss) was born in King William’s Town, South Africa and grew up in Cape Town. He received undergraduate degrees in applied mathematics and physics from the University of Cape Town. In 1995 he received an M.S degree in geophysics from the University of the Witwatersrand. In 2000 he received the Ph.D in physics from the University of Alberta, in Canada.

His work has focused mainly on the causes and consequences of space weather, particularly the complex dynamics of magnetospheric substorms and space storms. He is the recipient of several awards and honors, notably an NSF CAREER award. His research work has been almost entirely supported by U.S. government agencies, notably NASA, and NSF. He regrets that, apart from a brief stint as a teenaged intern, no oil company has since asked him to perform any kind of service.

Dr. Wanliss has published over 48 papers in various areas of space plasma physics, mainly in the Journal of Geophysical Research and Geophysical Research Letters. He has also published in psychology and medical areas, and popular Christian journals.

His entry into the environmental debate began when he taught a course that examined scientifically several prominent claims of the green movement that proved to be either false or highly exaggerated. The religious terminology employed by environmentalists made it plain that the green movement is not about science, or the environment, but is offered as an alternative to Christian faith, one that people interested in truth need to learn to combat.

To arrange for Dr. Wanliss to speak to your church or other organization, click the contact tab at the left of this page and tell us what’s on your mind. View the resume and list of publications by Dr. Wanliss. And you can also view his scientific conference papers and invited presentations. In addition, other presentations (e.g. theological, environmental, etc.), and a reading list may be of interest too.