Ben Cross is a PhD student at the University of Waterloo whose work will contribute to the Cost Benefit Analysis of Managed Retreat portion of the PICS Living With Water project. Ben received his Masters of Resource Management (Planning) degree from Simon Fraser University where his research focused on selecting wind farm locations that naturally improve the integration of wind and hydroelectric power generation due to favourable wind speed variability.

After completing his Master's degree, Ben worked for the City of North Vancouver on their Climate Change Adaptation and Integrated Stormwater Management Plans, and now works in water management for the BC Government out of Nelson. Outside of work, Ben enjoys the usual Kootenay pastimes, including mountain biking, trail running, and downhill, crosscountry, and backcountry skiing.