Ian Burton has research interests and technical expertise in risk assessment of natural and technological hazards, water resources and supply, climate change impacts and adaptation, and environment and development. Trained in geography (PhD Chicago 1962) he works now primarily in the interface between research, science, and policy, and is particularly interested in the use and misuse of scientific information in public policy formation and business.

Honours include, elected Fellow Royal Society of Canada 1983-, Senior Connaught Fellow, University of Toronto (1985-86), Honorary PhD University of Waterloo, (2013), Queen Elizabeth, Diamond Jubilee Medal, 2012, Laureat D’honneur, International Geographical Union, 2016, the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Climate Change, 2021, and the Order of Canada in 2023.