Headshot of Shayne O'Brien.
Website
Substack
Lecturer
Geography, Anthropology, & Tourism
Lecturer
Geography
Contact
shayneobrien@ccsu.edu
Office
Ebenezer D. Bassett Hall
417
Or by appointment
Biography

Dr. Shayne O'Brien has been a part-time faculty member at CCSU since 2023, teaching courses on geography, climate and environmental issues. In addition to teaching at Central, Dr. O'Brien also teaches Geography at Southern Connecticut State University, and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. 

Dr. O'Brien is a broadly trained geographer-climatologist, with interest in climate change from physical and social perspectives. His research is primarily focused on atmospheric and oceanic drivers of arctic change. Dr. O'Brien is a strong advocate for the value of diverse personal and academic perspectives in the study of climate change, with value to be found in all interests, or career paths. 

Dr. O'Brien is an Assistant Coach with the Central Connecticut State University Ice Hockey Club, and has been involved in American Collegiate Hockey Association hockey Since 2011.

Dr. O lives in his home town of Wallingford with his wife, Elizabeth, who is also a natural scientist.

Education
Geography
Texas State University
2022
Geoscience
Fort Hays State University
2018
Geography
Southern Connecticut State University
2016
Areas of Expertise

Atmospheric and Oceanic Drivers of Climate Change

Applied Climatology

Publications, Research & Presentations

“Staying Cool in a Changing Climate”, Wallingford Public Library, CT, June 17, 2026

“Living in a Changing Climate”¸ Milford Public Library, Milford CT, July 10, 2025

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Dixon, R. W., O’Brien, S. R., & Hodge, J. B. (2021). The oceanography of Cuchlaine A.M. king. Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment, 45(3), 460–463. https://doi.org/10.1177/03091333211005287

Memberships & Affiliations

Assistant Coach, CCSU Hockey Club

CSU-AAUP, Organizing Committee Member (SCSU)

American Association of Geographers (AAG)

American Geophysical Union (AGU)

Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS)

Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society

Courses Taught

GEOG/CCS/SUST 109: Introduction to Climate Change

GEOG/CCS/SUST 209: Climatology

GEOG 272: Physical Geography

GEOG 433/514: Issues in Environmental Protection