Head of Group

Professor Richard Dawson

• Email: richard.dawson@ncl.ac.uk
• Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 6618
• Address: School of Engineering, Room 3.19, Cassie Building, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK

Deputy Head of Group

Dr Geoff Parkin

• Email: geoff.parkin@ncl.ac.uk
• Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 6146
• Address: School of Engineering, Room 3.11, Cassie Building, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK

Our team

Our academic and research staff

The management of water resources is a source of potential conflict all over the world, particularly where supplies cross a number of political boundaries. Newcastle University has earned a global reputation for applying solid science to help bring about resolutions to these issues.

• Read more about Managing global water supplies

We are using climate models to identify future changes in flooding, droughts and heatwaves affecting European cities. The landmark study shows that, from 2050-2100, the incidence of extreme weather will exceed previous predictions.

• Read more about Preparing our cities for climate change

We are tackling the global problem of precious freshwater pollution by metals discharged by active and abandoned mines. The expertise of the Newcastle team has shaped international guidelines on mining pollution management as well as policy and practice at a national and regional level.

• Read more about Cleaning up mine water pollution

Our research into stochastic rainfall models has transformed the practice of impact assessment of climate change and risk assessment of environmental hazards across multiple industrial and business sectors.

• Read more about Robust climate change risk assessment

Richard Dawson, Head of the Water Group, is a member of the Committee on Climate Change Adaptation Committee. He plays a key role in helping to provide expert advice to the UK and devolved governments and parliaments on preparing for, and adapting to, climate change.

• Read more about Advising the government: UK Committee on Climate Change

The town of Belford in Northumberland has records of flood events dating back to 1877. Traditional flood defences are not suitable. Working in partnership with the North East Local Levy team, we addressed the flood problem using soft engineered runoff management features.

• Read more about Nature-based engineering solutions to reduce the impact of flooding

We belong to the UK Infrastructure Transitions Research Consortium (ITRC). The consortium is a collaboration of seven universities and over 55 partners from infrastructure policy and practice. The UK’s first National Infrastructure Assessment was backed by ITRC analysis.

• Read more about Supporting the National Infrastructure Commission's first National Infrastructure Assessment

We showcase our work in a variety of ways. In 2017, FLOOD! was hosted at the Great North Museum. Through a mixture of interactive games, videos and virtual reality, visitors found out about what floods are, why they happen and how they might change.

• Read more about Communicating our work to the wider public

We developed the first published hydrogeological map and spatial databases realted to aquifer use and protection, groundwater flow and pollution models.

• Read more about Sustainable Management of the West Bank and Gaza Aquifers (PDF: 620KB)

We co-lead the Urban Observatory. We use the largest set of publicly available real time urban data in the UK to improve our ability to forecast flooding.

• Read more about Transforming Newcastle into a Smart City at the Urban Observatory

Flood Force: finding solutions in good company is the result of a winning idea submitted to the first LWEC short film competition by Northumbrian Water and Newcastle University. It uses the North East’s experience of flooding from extreme rainfall to show how leading UK research can contribute to better decision-making with a particular emphasis on how business can take action to reduce the risk and therefore the costs of flooding .

• Watch the video Flood Force: finding solutions in good company

We are always keen to hear from our student and staff alumni.  Contact staff directly, and join our LinkedIn page to keep informed of our latest activities.

We often have exciting opportunities available to join our team. Check Newcastle University job vacancies for current opportunities.

If you are a full professor interested in moving to Newcastle University, contact Head of Group Professor Richard Dawson in the first instance.

Various funded PhD studentships related to our research are available. Funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Natural Environmental Research Council (NERC) allows us to offer assorted opportunities.

Take a look at our current PhD candidates and our staff research interests to get an idea of the opportunities available.

You can also study with us via a UKRI-funded CDT or DTP:

• Aura CDT
• Geospatial Systems
• IAPETUS
• One Planet
• Water Infrastructure and Resilience

Engagement is integral to our ethos. Our work provides mutual benefit for both the University and our external partners. Read about some of our case studies having an impact at local, national and international levels:

• the Nile basin initiative
• UKCP09 weather generator
• the Belford catchment study
• EPSRC Infrastructure Transitions Research Consortium

We welcome collaborative opportunities from a wide range of partners. Contact us to find out how we can work with you.

We work collaboratively with many partners in our education and research programmes. This ensures our students are ready to work in the water sector, and to maximise the impact of our research.

We work with a range of partners in Newcastle, the UK, and internationally, including:

• multi-national corporations and SMEs
• the public sector
• civil society
• professional institutions
• voluntary organisations
• schools and colleges
• policymakers

Our collaborations

Arup

Partnering with Arup, City of Melbourne and others, we co-developed new approaches to finance urban green infrastructure.

Northumbrian Water Group

We work with NWG on a variety of projects. For example, take a look at Flood Force: finding solutions in good company, a short film on managing urban flood risk.

JBA Consulting

JBA co-supervised an MSc project to improve how their JFlow model simulated river channel conveyance.

Contact Head of Group Professor Richard Dawson or any other member of staff in the group to discuss how we can collaboarate in our education or research activities.

Contact Head of Group Professor Richard Dawson or any member of staff in the group to discuss how we can collaborate in our education or research activities.