Roger Chao

In 2006, Chao and Stephen Fordyce completed a mid-winter traverse of the Western Arthurs range in south-west Tasmania. They received the 2006 Young Adventurer of the Year award from the Australian Geographic Society.[1][4][5][6] In 2007, Chao crossed the Greenland ice sheet from east to west without support, becoming the youngest person to do so.[1][7][8] He also investigated the effects of global warming on Inuit culture in Greenland, and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society in recognition of this research.[3][7][8] In 2009 and 2010, Chao and Megan Kerr undertook the "Steppe By Steppe — Side By Side" expedition in Central Asia, traveling on a Quike touring quadracycle from Astana, Kazakhstan through Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Xinjiang (an autonomous region in Western China).[2][8][9]

Chao is also a whitewater kayaker, caver, rock climber, skier.[1][2] He has worked as a professional guide and expedition consultant, and as a section rep and delegate for Search and Rescue.[3][7] Chao serves on the executive committee of The Explorers Club.[1][7][8]

Chao is a 2003 graduate of Scotch College, Melbourne, and has degrees in Arts (Politics and Philosophy) and Economics and an Honours degree in Philosophy/Ethics from Monash University.[7][10]

Chao has worked on a form of average utilitarianism called negative average preference utilitarianism.[11]

Chao has worked at the Office of Environmental Sustainability,[3][7] and is a Victoria Ambassador for Australia Day.[2][10]