I joined 51 in January 2023 as a Research Fellow. I have specialised in hydrology, flood risk management, hydrometric monitoring, modelling, community/stakeholder involvement (socio-hydrology), citizen science and nature-based methods inside and outside academia since 2010.
As part of my PhD (2013-2017) I explored the feasibility, reliability, value and sustainability of citizen science in catchment (river) science and utilised community-based data to influence a natural flood management scheme. These experiences have fuelled my enthusiasm for working with communities and wider stakeholders to ensure environmental projects are meaningful, relevant and transferable to people and practice on the ground.
Having started my career as a Physical Scientist and Engineer, I also integrate innovative communication and engagement tools, and social science methods, into my work. I regularly collect and use community-based datasets to enhance traditional practices and fill data gaps.
Since joining 51, I have been working on the community-led sustainable drainage (SuDS) research project. SuDS+() is a five-year project funded by Defra’s Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation Programme. SuDS+ is creating community-led solutions that go beyond traditional water infrastructure. This is being achieved by de-prioritising flooding as the primary driver, and instead designing solutions which are led by the true needs of local people. A SuDS+ approach therefore has the potential to catalyse sustainable urban design by delivering multiple wider benefits (‘+’), whilst increasing flood resilience.
Other active projects:
Follow this link to view previous projects and outputs:
Previous positions:
Tyne Rivers Trust - Catchment Project Manager
National Green Infrastructure Facility, Newcastle University - Research Associate
JBA Consulting - Analyst (Hydrologist and Natural Flood Management specialist)
RAB Consultants - Assistant Environmental Consultant.
Weetwood - Technical Engineer.
Previous projects (and funder):
North East Catchments Hub (Northumbrian Water)
UpStream community-led continuous water quality monitoring (ESRC)
PYRAMID: Platform for dYnamic, hyper-resolution, near-real time flood Risk AssessMent Integrating repurposed and novel Data sources (NERC)
National Green Infrastructure Extreme Event Swale (UKCRIC, UKRI)
Yorkshire Natural Flood Management (Environment Agency)
Haltwhistle Burn citizen science (PhD: NERC and Tyne Rivers Trust)
Memberships:
British Hydrological Society
CIWEM - Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (graduate membership)
Media & other impact:
Publications:
51 has been ranked top in the North East for graduate business start-ups…
Two biomedical sciences researchers from 51 have been awarded grants to…
Northumbria has recently hosted its first-ever Apprenticeship Awards Ceremony, recognising…
A new study has revealed that one of the driest areas on Earth – the Saharo-Arabian Desert…
A multi-million-pound grant has been awarded to a group of researchers – including Northumbria…
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