Working with academics, business and policymakers directly involved with delivering the Water Framework Directive
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leeds
Department Name: Sch of Geography
Abstract
The focus of this KE fellowship is to build relationships for exchanging knowledge and science capabilities between
water related NERC grants and studentships at water@leeds with businesses and policy makers directly involved with
delivering the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD). The fellowship aims to maximise impact in delivering the
WFD by translating the relevant science for business and policy makers, which is essential for them to prepare for the
future. There is a significant opportunity to gain advantage from existing research available by looking at it with new
eyes from a WFD perspective. Whilst many existing NERC water projects have not directly focussed upon WFD,
when scrutinised and put into business terms they will provide a wealth knowledge to help users and practitioners
prepare for delivery of the directives' requirements. Without this fellowship, the potential use of current academic
knowledge will not be realised and costs of implementing WFD will be higher.
By interpreting and sharing the existing water@leeds science-base that is of use to WFD policy and practice and
developing relationships between businesses and policy makers, value and efficiencies will be realised through
applying knowledge to practical implementation. This means using science knowledge for developing strategies,
informing policy decisions and improving understanding of environmental effects in relation to compliance with the
WFD.
Through building targeted partnerships with business, policy and water@leeds the fellowship will help foster a new
focus of collaborative and impact-focussed research activity with stakeholders, which is likely to generate long lasting
future partnerships with business.
The fellow has significant experience of working with WFD, and has undergone extensive engagement with senior
practitioners to agree priority areas of work for the fellowship with key organisations (Environment Agency,
Yorkshire Water, Natural England). This project delivers to NERC’s KE priority on water security and in particular
on the integrated catchment management strand. To do this the project focuses on improving the UK’s ability to
implement and adhere to the WFD.
water related NERC grants and studentships at water@leeds with businesses and policy makers directly involved with
delivering the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD). The fellowship aims to maximise impact in delivering the
WFD by translating the relevant science for business and policy makers, which is essential for them to prepare for the
future. There is a significant opportunity to gain advantage from existing research available by looking at it with new
eyes from a WFD perspective. Whilst many existing NERC water projects have not directly focussed upon WFD,
when scrutinised and put into business terms they will provide a wealth knowledge to help users and practitioners
prepare for delivery of the directives' requirements. Without this fellowship, the potential use of current academic
knowledge will not be realised and costs of implementing WFD will be higher.
By interpreting and sharing the existing water@leeds science-base that is of use to WFD policy and practice and
developing relationships between businesses and policy makers, value and efficiencies will be realised through
applying knowledge to practical implementation. This means using science knowledge for developing strategies,
informing policy decisions and improving understanding of environmental effects in relation to compliance with the
WFD.
Through building targeted partnerships with business, policy and water@leeds the fellowship will help foster a new
focus of collaborative and impact-focussed research activity with stakeholders, which is likely to generate long lasting
future partnerships with business.
The fellow has significant experience of working with WFD, and has undergone extensive engagement with senior
practitioners to agree priority areas of work for the fellowship with key organisations (Environment Agency,
Yorkshire Water, Natural England). This project delivers to NERC’s KE priority on water security and in particular
on the integrated catchment management strand. To do this the project focuses on improving the UK’s ability to
implement and adhere to the WFD.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Viki Hirst (Principal Investigator / Fellow) |
| Description | Knowledge exchange is an important role in the communication between science and policy needs. Ensuring the most up to date science is available for practitioners, regulators and policy professionals is important to build relationships and efficiencies. |
| Exploitation Route | This fellowship has brought together academics, practitioners, regulators and those involved with policy across specific different areas related to urban and rural water management. The Upland Hydrology Group has also been re-instated which brings together stakeholders involved with the management of our UK uplands. |
| Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Education Environment |
| Description | For this fellowship, detailed reports are submitted regularly to report impact and outcomes. Those reported to date have included publication of briefing notes for industry and policy, collaboration and partnership projects with a variety of organisations, further funding for environmental and KE projects, staff development, very successful communication and dissemmination events which have received excellent feedback, appointment of staff to deliver further work from investigatory projects facilitated by this role. If you would like further information of the post or detailed report please contact v.hirst@leeds.ac.uk. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2012 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment |
| Impact Types | Economic Policy & public services |
| Description | Collaboration in the South Pennine uplands for flood risk management and biodiversity/carbon improvements |
| Organisation | Calderdale Metropolitian Borough Council |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | I arranged the collaboration through contacts and working closely to understand the research available and end user needs |
| Collaborator Contribution | • Developed rapport and an effective working group with Calderdale Council and the Local Nature Partnership to put research findings into practice to manage flooding using innovative means. This is the first small demonstration project which could have National implications. o Calderdale Council have commissioned water@leeds to report on the impacts of changing vegetation roughness on flood peaks and flows in a trial rapid response catchment. o water@leeds, aided by NERC resources, have developed a modelling technique which assesses the impacts of changes in vegetation on surface flow. o The results of this have been very well received and are informing the development of an upland strategy for this area. o The Environment Agency and Calderdale Council are very interested to take this further and apply the technology to a wider catchment area. o Results will be highlighted to the Regional Flood and Coastal Committee and are likely to be relevant to other upland rapid response catchments across the UK and wider. |
| Impact | • Developed rapport and an effective working group with Calderdale Council and the Local Nature Partnership to put research findings into practice to manage flooding using innovative means. This is the first small demonstration project which could have National implications. o Calderdale Council have commissioned water@leeds to report on the impacts of changing vegetation roughness on flood peaks and flows in a trial rapid response catchment. o water@leeds, aided by NERC resources, have developed a modelling technique which assesses the impacts of changes in vegetation on surface flow. o The results of this have been very well received and are informing the development of an upland strategy for this area. o The Environment Agency and Calderdale Council are very interested to take this further and apply the technology to a wider catchment area. o Results will be highlighted to the Regional Flood and Coastal Committee and are likely to be relevant to other upland rapid response catchments across the UK and wider. |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Description | Host the Upland Hydrology Group |
| Organisation | Environment Agency |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Water@leeds host the Upland Hydrology Group |
| Collaborator Contribution | Contributions of funding towards running, publication and meeting costs |
| Impact | November 2013 - UHG core meeting On November 12th 2013 water@leeds hosted a core meeting of the UHG which was well attended and received very positive feedback. Aims of the meeting were to provide member updates of current issues, progress on key issues and set the UHG agenda for the future. March 2014 - National conference with BHS On March 10th 2014 the Upland Hydrology Group with water@leeds and the BHS hosted an event 'Upland Hydrology in the UK'. This was extremely successful and received very positive feedback. Over 120 delegates attended. Of these the majority expressed that they wanted to be kept in touch with UHG activities and found the event very useful. July 2014 - core members field meeting This meeting is currently being planned to discuss issues and gain practical knowledge. It is likely to be held in the South Pennines. October 2014 - core members subject specific meeting on upland non-peat soils to produce a summary note to raise awareness of issues and lack of information nationally |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | Diffuse Urban Pollution - water management issues, solutions and practicalities |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | around 100 people attended this event. A workshop report was widely circulated which received positive feedback. Purpose acheived: • To showcase research, expertise and tools available for use by practitioners and policy • To share practical examples of what works and how • To discuss best way to share information, raise awareness of priority issues This event will provide a wealth of information related to urban water management - covering diffuse pollution issues, surface water / flooding issues and the practicalities of delivering solutions. The event builds on preliminary discussions from an Expert Forum held last year where key issues related to urban management were discussed This will also link organisations and individuals to share the latest information and best practice available and follows the Environment Agency's National Urban Run Off meeting in February. Key themes for discussion are:- 1. What are the most important urban pollution and run off issues - what are the main sources and pathways and how can they be reduced? 2. What barriers (legislative, cost, attitude, other) are there to improving urban catchment management for multiple benefits? 3. What are the best ways to share information and contacts. Would a web based platform to help be useful and what would it need to include? 4. Who's responsible for reducing diffuse pollution and who can pay? Policy needs. 5. Are there significant gaps in our understanding? What monitoring and research requirements would benefit our understanding. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Engagement with the Yorkshire Food Farming and Rural Network |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I attend meetings of the YFFRN and attended their water summit early in 2014 where I took a demonstration stand to raise awareness of research available and areas of work we carry out. Raising awareness of SARIC activities and feeding back end user information to NERC leads about this (MG). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Expert Forum for Practitioners Implementing the WFD |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Around 100 professionals attended or contributed to this event. Facilitated discussions around key themes and questions were then writen up in an information paper/workshop report and a database of information was completed and circulated widely to inform those involved with environment management and implementation of the Water Framework Directive in the UK. A number of attendees reported collaborations they had followed up and projects they were able to progress as a direct result of meeting and networking with people at this event. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| Description | Organised and held an education event with the DEFRA pathfinder project and SOURCE |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Organised an event to highlight research and it's application in the uplands. I arranged for the Council, Environment Agency and Local Nature Partnership to present aobout issues then I highlighted research available to improve understanding and target actions. Following the presentation there was good discussion and questions. After my talk we have continued to work closely in this area. There are 2 life bids which we may be a part of and also we are working with relevant organisations to develop a Natural Flood Risk Management Strategy for the area |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Reducing the cost of the Water Framework Directive through Payments for Water Services |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Around 100 people attended or contributed to this event. The acheived purpose was to focus on solutions - Collate and share knowledge and skills between practitioners from industry, business, academia and policy to increase compliance with the WFD - Establish what initiatives and research is available (either complete or ongoing) to inform implementation of the WFD Key themes for discussion were ?Agriculture and rural land management ?Urban planning and diffuse pollution ?Hydromorphology - achieving good ecological potential The acheived aims of this event were to - address barriers and identify options for meeting WFD objectives in peat uplands - share examples of practical examples and ideas particularly amongst water companies - assess the economics of WFD implementation in peat uplands, including how Payments for Ecosystem Services might help reduce the cost of WFD implementation - identify the best ways to continue sharing knowledge on these issues |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |