Her research on the behavior of sea level and polar ice sheets during past warm periods aims to better inform the public about future sea-level rise. Dutton has been extensively quoted and featured in popular media, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, The Atlantic, The New York Times Magazine, and Rolling Stone. Dutton serves on multiple editorial boards, steering committees, and working groups related to past climate and sea-level change. She is a fellow of the Geological Society of America and the Florida Climate Institute.