Dr Eleanor Starkey

Research Associate

Email: eleanor.starkey1@ncl.ac.uk
Address: National Green Infrastructure Facility
School of Engineering
Urban Sciences Building
1 Science Square
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
NE4 5TG

Background

Eleanor has a background in Hydrology (flood risk monitoring, modelling and management) and has both academic and industrial experience. Eleanor completed her BSc, MSc and PhD degrees at Newcastle University and has returned as a Research Associate to join the National Green Infrastructure Facility team. She is involved in testing and demonstrating the impact of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), including a large-scale swale and different leaky barrier designs. This open laboratory is also being used to engage and involve all stakeholders, including the public, and run demonstration open days.

Eleanor’s PhD project enabled her to explore the feasibility, reliability (data quality), value and sustainability of citizen science in catchment science. She worked closely with small rural communities, including Haltwhistle and Acomb. The project stimulated interest and impact on a local to national level. The project also included the high profile ‘kerplunk’ natural flood management scheme.

Key skills and research interests

Hydrology - flood risk management
Hydrometric monitoring
Hydraulic / hydrological modelling
Community engagement and involvement (citizen science)
Nature-based solutions: green infrastructure and natural flood management
Science outreach

Qualifications

PhD Civil Engineering (Newcastle University, 2018). Thesis title: Community-based ('citizen science') monitoring for catchment characterisation, modelling and management.

MSc Hydrology and Climate Change (Newcastle University, 2011) - Distinction

BSc (Hons) Physical Geography (Newcastle University, 2010) - First Class

Memberships

Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (Graduate member)

British Hydrological Society (BHS)

Previous positions

2017-2019: Flood Modeller and NFM Consultant (Analyst), JBA Consulting, North Yorkshire.

2013-2017: Teaching Assistant & Demonstrator, Newcastle University.

2012-2013: Assistant Environmental Consultant, RAB Consultants, County Durham.

2011-2012: Technical Engineer, Weetwood, Leeds.

Twitter / LinkedIn

@StarkeyEle

@HaltwhistleBurn

@NGIF_UK

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/eleanorstarkey

Research

Haltwhistle Burn Citizen Science project: https://research.ncl.ac.uk/haltwhistleburn/

National Green Infrastructure Facility: https://www.ukcric.com/facilities/national-green-infrastructure-facility/

Teaching

I support various water related undergraduate and postgraduate modules through teaching, demonstrating and hands-on fieldwork.

Publications

Starkey E, Parkin G, Birkinshaw S, Large A, Quinn P, Gibson C. Demonstrating the value of community-based (‘citizen science’) observations for catchment modelling and characterisation. Journal of Hydrology 2017, 548, 801–817.
Large A, Gilvear D, Starkey E. Ecosystem Service-Based Approaches for Status Assessment of Anthropocene Riverscapes. In: Kelly JM; Scarpino PV; Berry H; Syvitski J; Meybeck M, ed. Rivers of the Anthropocene. Oakland, California: University of California Press, 2017, pp.23-42.
Starkey E, Parkin G. Community Involvement in UK Catchment Management. Foundation for Water Research, 2015. Review of Current Knowledge FR/R0021.
Starkey E, Barnes M, Quinn P, Large A. Insightful monitoring of natural flood risk management features using a low-cost and participatory approach. In: EGU General Assembly 2016. 2016, Vienna: European Geosciences Union.