Water
Water
Making catchments, cities, and infrastructure more productive, safer, and sustainable

About Us
We develop innovative ways to manage water systems and mitigate the effects of climate change across the world.
Grounded in both science and engineering, the Water Group was established in 1984. Our research is cutting edge and diverse. It informs our teaching, for both undergraduates and postgraduates. It is used by organisations, institutions and communities worldwide to inform their decision making.
We teach talented students to the highest standards through our MSc, MEng, PhD and EngD programmes. We educate the next generation of water researchers, policy-makers and professionals.
We are founding members of UKCRIC. In the North-East, we host:
We work in partnership with the Environmental Engineering Group. In collaboration with academics, government, industry and communities throughout the world, we are:
- transforming practice
- improving quality of life
- helping to deliver the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Research
We have organised our research around four inter-related themes.
Each theme integrates projects including advanced computer simulation capabilities, statistical methods, and systems modelling.
Our work often cuts across themes and research disciplines. We lead the GCRF Water Security and Sustainable Development Hub. The project brings together leading researchers from around the world. The work is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
We have a long-term commitment to field experimentation and engineering interventions at a range of scales.
Leading the way in high definition modelling
We are at the forefront of high definition hydrological and hydraulic computational modelling.
Thousands use our rainfall simulators and climate downscaling methods to design adaptation strategies for climate change. Our systems perspective led to the first national scale flood risk maps, and now helps us to:
- understand infrastructure inter-dependencies
- mitigate cascading failures
- improve our management of the water, energy and food nexus
Our communication approaches and technologies allow non-specialists to engage with our research. The tools and frameworks we use help stakeholders and policy makers make better decisions.
We pioneer the use of nature-based solutions as part of a holistic approach to make our catchments, coasts and cities more sustainable.
Field sites and laboratories
We have installed experimental monitoring across a range of field sites.
As founding members of UKCRIC, we host the National Green Infrastructure Research Facility. We also host the Newcastle Urban Observatory. These facilities and more support our teaching. They include:
- hydraulic laboratories
- our own dedicated set of full-scale boreholes at the University’s Cockle Park Farm.
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Belford Catchment Management Scheme
Project Leader(s): Dr Paul Quinn -
Blue-Green Cities
Project Leader(s): Prof Chris Kilsby
Project Dates: 2013-2016 -
COLBE: The creation of localised current and future weather for the built environment
Project Leader(s): Chris Kilsby (Newcastle PI)
Project Dates: September 2015 - August 2018 -
CONVEX: CONVective EXtremes
Project Leader(s): Prof Hayley Fowler -
Eden DTC Phase 2: Demonstration Test Catchments
Project Leader(s): Paul Quinn -
Future Storms
Project Leader(s): Prof Hayley Fowler -
Future Urban Flood Risk Management
Project Leader(s): Chris Kilsby (Newcastle PI)
Project Dates: October 2016 - September 2019 -
GCRF: Water Security and Sustainable Development Hub
Project Leader(s): Richard Dawson (PI)
Project Dates: February 2019 - January 2024 -
INTENSE
Project Leader(s): Professor Hayley Fowler
Project Dates: February 2014 – January 2019 -
MISTRAL: Multi-scale Infrastructure Systems Analytics
Project Leader(s): Chris Kilsby (Newcastle PI) -
RAMSES: Reconciling Adaptation, Mitigation and Sustainable Development for citiES
Project Leader(s): Prof Richard Dawson -
SINATRA: Susceptibility of catchments to INTense RAinfall and flooding
Project Leader(s): Hayley Fowler (Newcastle PI)
Project Dates: September 2013 - May 2019 -
Techno-Economic Framework for Resilient and Sustainable Electrification (TERSE)
Project Leader(s): Richard Dawson (PI)
Project Dates: May 2018 - April 2021 -
Towards Resilience to Pluvial Flood Events
Project Leader(s): Claire Walsh
Project Dates: November 2018 - October 2020 -
TWENTY65
Project Leader(s): Richard Dawson (Newcastle Co-PI)
Project Dates: January 2016 - January 2021 -
UKCRIC - CORONA: City Observatory Research platfOrm for iNnovation and Analytics
Project Leader(s): Phil James (PI)
Project Dates: May 2018 - April 2021 -
Urban Green DAMS (Design And Modelling of SuDS)
Project Leader(s): Richard Dawson (PI)
Project Dates: January 2019 - December 2021
Our MSc programmes
Our integrated suite of MSc courses provides a choice of specialist training within a common framework of sound hydrological and water resource management. The courses contain six modules in common. Each module provides a solid foundation in the basic principles of:
- hydrology
- data capture and management
- computer modelling
- river basin management
- mathematical methods
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
These modules equip students with the basic expertise needed to become hydrological and water management professionals.
Students then take four further modules to develop the specialism of individual courses. For example, they may choose to study:
- climate change impact and adapation
- flood forecasting
- groundwater modelling and assessment
- pollution control engineering
- hydrosystems processes and modelling
Some of these specialist modules are common to more than one course. Many are global in scope, and cover case studies and research from around the world.
A dissertation project complements the taught element. Students apply their learning in a short research study relevant to their chosen specialism.
The integrated nature of the courses allows flexibility in making a final choice after students arrive at Newcastle. It also means that students from all the courses study together on many occasions. This creates a more sociable learning environment. It maximises the opportunities for developing professional relationships.
In Semester 2, students from the European MSc course in Hydroinformatics and Water Management (EuroAquae) join the modules. This further enhances the international composition of the classes.
All our courses are accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators, ensuring a strong foundation for a career as a professional engineer.
Find out more
Undergraduate Study
Undergraduates have the opportunity to specialise in Water Resources Engineering in Year 4 of the Civil Engineering MEng Honours programme.
- Undergraduate Programmes in Civil Engineering
- Masters Courses in Civil Engineering
- PhD opportunities in Water
Dr Geoffrey Parkin
Reader in Hydrology and Water Management
Email: geoff.parkin@ncl.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 6146
Dr Haider Ali
Research Associate (Intense)
Email: haider.ali@ncl.ac.uk
Dr Jaime Amezaga
Reader in Environmental Sustainability
Email: jaime.amezaga@ncl.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 4876
Professor Andras Bardossy
Prof of Earth Systems Modelling
Email: andras.bardossy@ncl.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 6319
Dr Stephen Birkinshaw
Researcher in Water Resources
Email: stephen.birkinshaw@ncl.ac.uk
Dr Stephen Blenkinsop
Senior Researcher in Climate and Climate Change
Email: stephen.blenkinsop@ncl.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)191 208 7933
Professor Rick Brassington
Visiting Professor of Hydrogeology
Email: rick.brassington@ncl.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 192 576 6754
Dr Steven Chan
Research Associate
Email: steven.chan@ncl.ac.uk
Peter Cunningham
Technician in Hydraulics and Hydrology
Email: peter.cunningham@ncl.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 7932
Professor Richard Dawson
Professor of Earth Systems Engineering, Director of Research & Innovation
Email: richard.dawson@ncl.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 6618
Dr Na Dong
Research Associate
Email: na.dong2@ncl.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 4861
Dr Alistair Ford
Lecturer in Geospatial Data
Email: alistair.ford@ncl.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 7121
Dr Nathan Forsythe
Newcastle University Research Fellow
Email: nathan.forsythe@ncl.ac.uk
Telephone: 0191 208 6875
Professor Hayley Fowler
Professor of Climate Change Impacts
Email: hayley.fowler@ncl.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 7113
Vassilis Glenis
Lecturer in Hydroinformatics
Email: vassilis.glenis@ncl.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 6413
Dr Selma Guerreiro
Research Fellow
Email: selma.guerreiro@ncl.ac.uk
Dr Oliver Heidrich
Senior Lecturer
Email: oliver.heidrich@ncl.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 6563
Dr Caspar Hewett
Lecturer
Email: caspar.hewett@ncl.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 5950
Dr Jennine Jonczyk
Researcher in Water Resources
Email: jennine.jonczyk@ncl.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 8599
Dr Abdullah Kahraman
Researcher in severe weather and climate change
Email: abdullah.kahraman@ncl.ac.uk
Dr Majed Khadem
Research Associate
Email: majed.khadem@ncl.ac.uk
Telephone: 0191 208 7121
Professor Chris Kilsby
Professor of Hydrology and Climate Change
Email: chris.kilsby@ncl.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 5614
Dr Elizabeth Lewis
Lecturer in Computational Hydrology
Email: elizabeth.lewis2@ncl.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 7544
Dr Xiaofeng Li
Reserch Scientist in Rainfall Extremes and Tibetan Climate Dynamics
Email: xiaofeng.li@ncl.ac.uk
Dr Colin Manning
Research Associate
Email: colin.manning@ncl.ac.uk
Dr Fergus McClean
Research Associate
Email: fergus.mcclean@ncl.ac.uk
Dr Greg O'Donnell
Senior Researcher in Land Use Management Effects in Extreme Floods
Email: g.m.o'donnell@ncl.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 5221
Lynn Patterson
UKCRIC Support Assistant
Email: lynn.patterson@ncl.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 6319
Dr David Pritchard
Research Associate
Dr David Pritchard
Research Associate
Dr Paul Quinn
Senior Lecturer in Catchment Hydrology
Email: p.f.quinn@ncl.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 5773
Dr Francesco Serinaldi
Willis Research Fellow
Email: francesco.serinaldi@ncl.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 5956
Dr Luke Smith
Lecturer in Data-centric Civil Engineering
Email: luke.smith@ncl.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 191 208 6766
Dr Eleanor Starkey
Research Associate
Email: eleanor.starkey1@ncl.ac.uk
Dr Brian Thomas
Senior Lecturer in Hydrology
Email: brian.thomas@ncl.ac.uk
Professor Eric Valentine
Visiting Professor
David Walker
Research Assistant
Email: david.walker4@ncl.ac.uk
Dr Claire Walsh
Senior Lecturer
Email: claire.walsh@ncl.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 6447
Sven Berendsen
Modelling the water cycle for a 'Digital Twin' for Newcastle

Email: s.berendsen2@ncl.ac.uk
Dominic Carver
Impact of removing a small impounding weir

Email: d.p.carver2@ncl.ac.uk
Miles Clement
Flood extent and volume from radar

Email: m.a.clement2@ncl.ac.uk
Fulvio Domenico Lopane
Optimising the management of flood emergencies

Email: f.d.lopane2@ncl.ac.uk
Luis Felipe Duque
Hydrological response of catchments at a local scale
Tessa Gough
The role of Citizen Science Big Data for flood management

Email: t.gough2@ncl.ac.uk
Amy C Green
Use of available observations for estimating the rainfall field

Email: a.c.brown@ncl.ac.uk
Daryl Hughes
Frameworks for dam removal initiatives

Email: d.hughes4@ncl.ac.uk
Christos Iliadis
Analysing precipitation extremes in a changing climate

Email: c.iliadis2@ncl.ac.uk
Shannon Leakey
Improving the understanding of leaky barriers

Email: s.c.leakey2@ncl.ac.uk
Laura McGinty
Aspects of Green Infrastructure investment

Email: l.mcginty2@ncl.ac.uk
Farzana Ahmed Mohuya
Contribution of Citizen Science to flood risk management

Email: f.a.mohuya2@ncl.ac.uk
Colin Nicholson
Models for urban water management and flood modelling

Email: c.nicholson6@ncl.ac.uk
Alem Oyarmoi
Hydrological regulation in papyrus-based wetland systems

Email: a.oyarmoi2@ncl.ac.uk
Trevor Pearman
Geospatial data representation for modelling and monitoring

Email: t.pearman2@ncl.ac.uk
Xanthe Polaine
Applying game theory to water resource management

Email: x.polaine1@ncl.ac.uk
Roberto Villalobos Herrera
Events-based approach for representation of rainfall events
Alethea Walker
Role of Green Infrastructure in mitigating urban flood risk

Email: a.e.m.walker2@ncl.ac.uk
Anna Whitford
Using sub-daily extreme rainfall events for prediction

Email: a.whitford2@ncl.ac.uk
Impact
Learn about the academic, societal, industrial and political impact our research is having on the wider world.
Our high quality academic work is responsive to large-scale societal needs and demands. Here are a few examples of how we’re helping to make the world a better place.
Join Us
An internationally-leading group in research, teaching, and engagement with industry and society.
We offer excellent opportunities across all these areas. Join us in a range of exciting activities.
The Water Group includes a wide-ranging team of academic and research staff, PhD and MSc students.