Staff Profile

I am Professor of Water Security, and Deputy Head of, the Water Group in the School of Engineering. My research interests focus on long-term change in both natural environments and urban systems, with a strong focus on water security and sustainable infrastructure. 

Roles and Responsibilities

• Co-Director, Newcastle's Centre of Research Excellence in Water
• Co-Director, National Green Infrastructure Facility
• Deputy Head of the Water Group
• Editorial Panel Member for Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Engineering Sustainability
• Champion of Newcastle University's Global Challenges Academy’s Sustainable Water Network 

Current PhD Students

• Farzana Ahmed Mohuya: Urban flood risk in Dhaka 
• Alethea Goddard: Green Infrastructure: understanding its role in mitigating current and future flood risk in urban areas.
• Ashwini More: Water sensitive urban planning and design, based on ecosystem services 
• Matt Kirby: Multifunctional green belts - mainstreaming nature in a contentious policy space to address the climate and ecological emergencies (OnePlanet Scheme, joint with Northumbria University)
• Samalia Kanoma: Climate change impacts of water resources in Nigeria.
• Tsendenya Tafesse: Earth observation and land surface model applications for water resource potential assessment and water scarcity indices over Ethiopian basins towards sustainable water resource utilization
• Dominic Kay: Multiple environmental risks in the Johor State (based at NUMed).
• Abdulrahman Badaoud: Impact of the extensive use of groundwater for irrigation in an arid region, and benefits of the virtual water trade, case study for Saudi Arabia
• Andre Madson Araujo Frota: Catchments as the first stage of treatment

Past PhD Students

• Rixia Zan (2023): Biochar amended sand as pollution attenuating materials for sustainable stormwater management 
• Johannes Senn (2023): Geometric calibration for geomorphological photogrammetric surveys
• Laura McGinty (2020): Business model innovation for green urban infrastructure
• Golnaz Jahanshah (2018): Uncertainties in long-term management of water resources 

Qualifications

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy 
• PhD Civil Engineering at Newcastle University
• BSc (First Class Honours) Geography at Newcastle University

Memberships

• Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy
• British Hydrological Society

Research Gate: Click here.

Google Scholar: Click here.

SCOPUS: Click here.

Research Interests

Global water security

Flood risk assessment and management in urban areas

Green infrastructure

Climate impacts on water resources

Infrastructure business models

Hydromorphology 

Funding

UK – Ukraine R&I twinning grant. Programme to Enhance Academic Collaboration for Enabling Regenerative Reconstruction in Ukraine (PEACE-R2UK) (£164k, 2023) Co-I.

ESRC. Using participatory approaches to instigate improvements in water quality: UK and Taiwan (£60k, 2021-2023). PI.

NERC. PYRAMID: Platform for dYnamic, hyper-resolution, near-real time flood Risk AssessMent Integrating repurposed and novel Data source. (£787k, 2020-2022). Co-I. 

EPSRC. Centre for Doctoral Training in Water Infrastructure and Resilience. (£6.6M, 2019-2027). Co-I.

GCRF. Water Security and Sustainable Development Hub. (£20M, 2019-2024). Co-I.

NERC. Building resilience to pluvial flood risk (Kampala, Uganda). (£250k, 2018-2020). PI

EPSRC. UKCRIC - UK Collaboratorium for Research in Infrastructure & Cities: Newcastle Laboratories. ( £9.7M, 2016 - 2021). Co-I.

EPSRC. Grand Challenge in Water: Tailored Water to ENsure sustainabiliTY beyond 2065 (£3.9M, 2016-2021). Co-I.

NERC Drought resilience in ecosystem services and rural communities in China. (£160k, 2016-2017). Co-I.

EPSRC Preparing for GCRF: Advancing planning of drainage in Low and Middle Income Countries. (£20k, 2016-2017). PI.

EPSRC Prosperity Outcomes: Resilient Nation: Planning and building new tools for climate resilient. (£35k, 2016-2017). PI.

EPSRC. Impact Acceleration Award: Web-service simulation model and tool for flood risk management in urban areas (£80k, 2016-2017). PI.

NERC. Delivering green infrastructure in cities through a new business model. (£30k, 2016-2016). Co-I.

Institute for Sustainability, Newcastle University. BUG: Bio-informing Urban Gardening (£34k, 2015-2016). PI.

Science Central, Newcastle University. MINT Community Action and Knowledge Exchange. (£8k, 2015-2016). Co-I.

Science Central, Newcastle University. SPATIAL: Sparse data acquisition via societal collaboration. (£7k, 2014-2015). PI. 

Workers Education Association. Greening Wingrove Barometer. (£18k, 2013-2017). PI.

EPSRC. Knowledge Transfer Secondment at Newcastle City Council (£70k, 2011-2012).

Other Research Projects

iBUILD (Infrastructure BUsiness models, valuation and Innovation for Local Delivery). Research programme/Centre Manager and core research fellow; jointly-funded by EPSRC and ESRC. 2013-2017.

Reconciling Adaptation, Mitigation and Sustainable Development for Cities. Named researcher; EU FP7 funded. 2012-2017.

SHOCK Project. Named researcher; EPSRC funded. 2011-2013.

Adaptation and Resilience in Cities: Analysis and Decision making using Integrated Assessment. Research co-ordinator; EPSRC funded. 2009-2012.

Platform Grant on Earth Systems Engineering. Named researcher; EPSRC funded. 2008-2014.

Severe Weather Events Risk and Vulnerability Estimator. Researcher Co-Investigator; EPSRC funded. 2008-2011.

Sustaining Knowledge for a Changing Climate. Core researcher; EPSRC funded. 2006-2008.

Incorporating Climate Change into River Typologies. Core researcher; Environment Agency funded. 2006-2007.

Engineering Cities Project. Named researcher; Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research; NERC funded. 2006-2009.

Equivalent Flows for Freshwater Fisheries. Core researcher; Environment Agency funded. 2004-2006.

Sustainable Water Uncertainty, Risk and Vulnerability in Europe. Research assistant; EU FP5 funded. 2003-2004.

Esteem Indicators

• Awarded Newcastle University's 'Best Environment Research Project' in 2016 (BUG) and 2014 (Cafe Waste).
• Invited guest speaker and mentor at The National Center for Atmospheric Research’s Institute for Mathematics’ Applied to Geosciences Theme of the Year Workshop on Uncertainty in Climate Change Research: An Integrated Approach, held in Boulder Colorado, August 2012.
• Guest Editor for a double Special Issue of Hydrology Research, published January 2012.
• Elected Honorary Secretary of the British Hydrological Society for two terms (2008-2012).
• Chair of the Organising Committee for the British Hydrological Society six-yearly International Symposium held at Newcastle University, 2010. 
• Organising committee member for the British Hydrological Society National Symposium, Dundee, 2012.
• Won a prestigious scholarship to attend Brown University’s International Advanced Research Institute on Climate Change and Water Resources in 2011.
• 2009 – 2011: Meetings’ Committee Member of the Royal Meteorological Society.
• 2006 – 2008: Elected Committee Member of the British Hydrological Society.
• 2004 – 2008: Chair of the Pennines’ Hydrological Group.

CEG 3503: Hydrosystems Engineering (Stage 3, Civil Engineering) Module Leader

CEG 3099: Individual Project (Stage 3, Civil Engineering)

CEG 8099: Investigative Research Project (Stage 4, Civil Engineering) Module Leader

CEG 8512: Integrated River Basin Management (MSc, Hydrology and Water Management) Module Leader

CEG 8524: Water Management: Issues and Challenges (MSc, Hydrology and Water Management) Module Leader

CEG 8596: MSc Project and Dissertation in Water Resources (MSc, Hydrology and Water Management)

• Articles

  • Assegide E, Shiferaw H, Tibebe D, Peppa MV, Walsh CL, Alamirew T, Zeleke G. Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Water Quality Indicators in Koka Reservoir, Ethiopia. Remote Sensing 2023, 15(4), 1155.
  • Hashemi Monfared SA, Walsh CL, Curtis TP, Jarvis AP, Dehghani Darmian M, Khodabandeh F. New coefficient for water quality modelling in meandering rivers: Fatigue Factor. Ecological Informatics 2023, 75, 101999.
  • Ali AS, Gari SR, Goodson ML, Walsh CL, Dessie BK, Ambelu A. Fecal Contamination in the Wastewater Irrigation System and its Health Threat to Wastewater-Based Farming Households in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Environmental Health Insights 2023, 17.
  • Zan R, Blackburn A, Plaimart J, Acharya K, Walsh C, Stirling R, Kilsby C, Werner D. Environmental DNA clarifies impacts of combined sewer overflows on the bacteriology of an urban river and resulting risks to public health. Science of The Total Environment 2023, 889, 164282.
  • Negash ED, Asfaw W, Walsh CL, Mengistie GK, Haile AT. Effects of land use land cover change on streamflow of Akaki catchment, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Sustainable Water Resources Management 2023, 9(3), 78.
  • Dessie BK, Mehari B, Tefera M, Osman M, Tsegaye Y, Gari SR, Desta AF, Melaku S, Alamirew T, Goodson ML, Walsh CL, Zeleke G, Mihret A. Urinary 8-OHdG level is not affected by geography and trace elements in nail of residents of Addis Ababa: It is shaped by interactions between different social factors. Toxicology Reports 2022, 9, 1777-1787.
  • Dessie BK, Mehari B, Gari SR, Mihret A, Desta AF, Melaku S, Alamirew T, Walsh CL, Werner D, Zeleke G. Trace Element Levels in Nails of Residents of Addis Ababa Are Shaped by Social Factors and Geography. Biological Trace Element Research 2023, 201, 577-591.
  • Polaine XK, Dawson R, Walsh CL, Amezaga J, Pena-Varon M, Lee C, Rao S. Systems thinking for water security. Civil Engineering and Environmental Systems 2022, 39(3), 205-223.
  • Hiruy AM, Mohammed J, Haileselassie MM, Acharya K, Butte G, Haile AT, Walsh C, Werner D. Spatiotemporal variation in urban wastewater pollution impacts on river microbiomes and associated hazards in the Akaki catchment, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Science of the Total Environment 2022, 826, 153912.
  • More A, Walsh CL, Dawson RJ. Re-integration of heritage water systems: spatial lessons for present-day water management. Blue-Green Systems 2022, 4(2), 340-347.
  • Senn JA, Mills J, Walsh CL, Addy S, Peppa M-V. On-site geometric calibration of RPAS mounted sensors for SfM photogrammetric geomorphological surveys. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 2022, 47(6), 1615-1634.
  • Dessie BK, Mehari B, Osman M, Gari SR, Desta AF, Melaku S, Alamirew T, Goodson ML, Walsh CL, Zeleke G, Mihret A. Absence of significant association of trace elements in nails with urinary KIM-1 biomarker among residents of Addis Ababa in Upper Awash Basin, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study. BioMetals 2022, 35, 1341–1358.
  • Walsh CL, Glendinning S, Dawson RJ, O'Brien P, Heidrich O, Rogers CDF, Bryson JR, Purnell P. A Systems Framework for Infrastructure Business Models for Resilient and Sustainable Urban Areas. Frontiers in Sustainable Cities 2022, 4, 825801.
  • Butte G, Solano-Correa YT, Peppa MV, Ruiz-Ordonez DM, Maysels R, Tuqan N, Polaine X, Montoya-Pachongo C, Walsh C, Curtis T. A Framework for Water Security Data Gathering Strategies. Water 2022, 14(18), 2907.
  • Khadem M, Dawson RJ, Walsh CL. The feasibility of inter-basin water transfers to manage climate risk in England. Climate Risk Management 2021, 33, 100322.
  • Frantzeskeki N, McPhearson T, Kendal D, Bulkeley H, Dumitri A, Walsh CL, Noble K, Van Wyk E, Ordonez C, Oke C, Pinter L. Nature-based solutions for urban climate change adaptation: linking the science, policy and practice community for evidenced based decision-making. BioScience 2019, 69(6), 455-466.
  • Walsh C, Stirling R, Stott K, Cherry B. Putting green infrastructure to the test for urban catchments. Water Industry Journal 2018, (8), 48-49.
  • Palmero V, Walsh CL, Dawson RJ, Fichera A, Inturri G. Multi-sector mitigation strategies at the neighbourhood scale. Journal of Cleaner Production 2018, 187, 893-902.
  • Bridgens B, Powell M, Farmer G, Walsh CL, Reed E, Royapoor M, Gosling P, Hall J, Heidrich O. Creative upcycling: reconnecting people, materials and place through making. Journal of Cleaner Production 2018, 189, 145-154.
  • Carhart C, Bouch C, Walsh CL, Dolan T. Applying a new concept for strategic performance indicators. Infrastructure Asset Management 2016, 3(4), 143-153.
  • Walsh CL, Blenkinsop S, Fowler HJ, Burton A, Dawson RJ, Glenis V, Manning LJ, Jahanshahi G, Kilsby CG. Adaptation of water resource systems to an uncertain future. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences 2016, 20, 1869-1884.
  • Dolan T, Walsh CL, Bouch C, Carhart N. A conceptual approach to strategic performance indicators. Infrastructure Asset Management 2016, 3(4), 132-142.
  • Brown S, Aplin KL, Jenkins K, Mander S, Walsh CL, William PD. Is there a Rhythm of the Rain? An analysis of weather in popular music. Weather 2015, 70(7), 198–204.
  • Sayers P, Walsh CL, Dawson RJ. Climate impacts on flood and coastal erosion infrastructure. Infrastructure Asset Management 2015, 2(2), 69-83.
  • Walsh CL, Glendinning S, Castán-Broto V, Dewberry E, Powell M. Are wildcard events on infrastructure systems opportunities for transformational change?. Futures 2015, 67, 1-10.
  • Castán Broto V, Glendinning S, Dewberry E, Walsh CL, Powell M. What can we learn about transitions for sustainability from infrastructure shocks?. Technological Forecasting and Social Change 2014, 84, 186-196.
  • Powell M, Glendinning S, CastanBroto V, Dewberry E, Walsh C. Shaped by Shock: Staff on the Emergency Department 'Shop Floor'. Anthropology in Action 2014, 21(2), 14-22.
  • Heidrich O, Dawson RJ, Reckien D, Walsh CL. How prepared are UK cities for addressing climate change adaptation and mitigation?. Urbanization and Global Environmental Change Viewpoints 2014, 10, 17-21.
  • Dawson RJ, Walsh CL, Purnell P, Rogers CDF. Briefing: Infrastructure business models, valuation and innovation for local delivery. Infrastructure Asset Management 2014, 1(3), 66-67.
  • Walsh CL, Roberts D, Dawson RJ, Hall JW, Nickson A, Hounsome R. Experiences of integrated assessment of climate impacts, adaptation and mitigation modelling in London and Durban. Environment and Urbanization 2013, 25(2), 361-380.
  • Walsh CL, Glendinning S, Dawson RJ, England K, Martin M, Watkins CL, Wilson R, Glenis V, McLoughlin A, Parker D. Collaborative platform to facilitate engineering decision-making. Proceedings of the ICE - Engineering Sustainability 2013, 166(2), 98-107.
  • Heidrich O, Dawson RJ, Reckien D, Walsh CL. Assessment of the climate preparedness of 30 urban areas in the UK. Climatic Change 2013, 120(4), 771-784.
  • Walsh CL, Dawson RJ, Hall JW, Barr SL, Batty M, Bristow AL, Carney S, Dagoumas A, Ford AC, Harpham C, Tight MR, Watters H, Zanni A. Assessment of climate change mitigation & adaptation in cities. Urban Design and Planning 2011, 164(2), 75-84.
  • Orr H, Large ARG, Newson M, Walsh CL. A predictive typology for characterising hydromorphology. Geomorphology 2008, 100(1-2), 32-40.
  • Walsh CL, Kilsby CG. Implications of climate change on flow regime affecting Atlantic salmon. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences 2007, 11(3), 1127-1143.
  • Mayes WM, Walsh CL, Bathurst JC, Kilsby CG, Quinn RF, Wilkinson ME, Daugherty AJ, O'Connell PE. Monitoring a flood event in a densely instrumented catchment, the Upper Eden, Cumbria, UK. Water and Environment Journal 2006, 20(4), 217-226.

• Book Chapters

  • Hall JW, Dawson RJ, Barr SL, Batty M, Bristow AL, Carney S, Dagoumas A, Ford A, Tight MR, Walsh CL, Watters H, Zanni AM. City-scale integrated assessment of climate impacts, adaptation and mitigation. In: Bose, R.K, ed. Energy Efficient Cities: Assessment Tools and Benchmarking Practices. Washington, DC, USA: World Bank, 2010, pp.43-64.
  • Dawson RJ, Hall JW, Barr SL, Batty M, Bristow A, Carney S, Dagoumas A, Evans S, Ford AC, Harwatt H, Kohler J, Tight M, Walsh CL, Zanni A. A blueprint for the integrated assessment of climate change in cities. In: Tang, K, ed. Green CITYnomics: The Urban War against Climate Change. Sheffield: Greenleaf Publishing, 2009, pp.32-52.

• Editorials

  • Walsh CL. Editorial. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers: Engineering Sustainability 2020, 173(4), 161-162.
  • Walsh C, Fowler H, Kilsby C, Black A. Role of hydrology in managing consequences of a changing global environment. Hydrology Research 2012, 43(5), 548-550.

• Letter

  • Brown S, Aplin KL, Jenkins K, Mander S, Walsh C, Williams PD. Freewheelin' scientists citing Bob Dylan Weather scientists cite Bob Dylan too. BMJ 2016, 352, i265.

• Reports

  • Hall JW, Dawson RJ, Walsh CL, Barker T, Barr SL, Batty M, Bristow AL, Burton A, Carney S, Dagoumas A, Evans S, Ford AC, Glenis V, Goodess CG, Harpham C, Harwatt H, Kilsby CG, Kohler J, Jones P, Manning L, McCarthy M, Sanderson M, Tight MR, Timms PM, Zanni A. Engineering Cities: How can cities grow whilst reducing emissions and vulnerability?. The Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, 2009.
  • Walsh CL, Hall JW, Street RB, Blanksby J, Cassar M, Ekins P, Glendinning S, Goodess C, Handley J, Noland R, Watson SJ. Building Knowledge for a Changing Climate: collaborative research to understand the impacts of climate change on infrastructure, the built environment and utilities, and to enable sustainable adaptation solutions. Newcastle University, 2007.
  • Dawson RJ, Hall JW, Barr SL, Batty M, Bristow A, Carney S, Evans S, Ford A, Köhler J, Tight M, Walsh CL. A blueprint for the integrated assessment of climate change in cities. Tyndall Centre for Climate Change, 2007. 104.

• Review

  • Ho JY, Lavinya AA, Kay DSW, Lee CIS, Razmi AH, Walsh CL, Goodson ML, Eswaran J. Towards an Integrated Approach to Improve the Understanding of the Relationships Between Water-Borne Infections and Health Outcomes: Using Malaysia as a Detailed Case Study. Frontiers in Water 2022, 4, 779860.