Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/J500513/1
A collaborative process of developing mathematical models for water quality management
Fellowship Award
- Fellow:
- Dr T Krueger, University of East Anglia, Environmental Sciences
- Grant held at:
- University of East Anglia, Environmental Sciences
- Science Area:
- None
- Overall Classification:
- Unknown
- ENRIs:
- None
- Science Topics:
- None
- Abstract:
- Transferring a collaborative and sustainable process of developing mathematical models for decision support in the context of water quality management Rural communities in the UK face considerable challenges in managing the country?s natural resources. Long-term sustainability of the food system is a central concern of the UK Government?s food strategy1, whereas the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD; 2000/60/EC) demands `good? ecological status of most of the country?s water bodies by 2015. These national policy priorities and environmental legislation constraints are augmented by regional concerns, including the recreational value of the rural landscape, the quality of life and the health of rural communities, the viability of rural businesses and rural employment, especially in food production and tourism, and biodiversity2. Along with the responsibilities and mandates of the private and public sectors, the voluntary sector in particular is seen as important in negotiating and meeting conflicting needs3. The multitude of pressures and the complexity of the environment require scientific tools to support the management of natural resources. Mathematical models are essential for achieving this by making complexity comprehensible and manageable. However, there is growing evidence that models developed from a research perspective alone are often not used in practice4, not least because of 1 Defra (2010). Food 2030. http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/food/pdf/food2030strategy.pdf (24.05.2010); subject to policies and priorities of the new government 2 RELU (2005). The Unfolding Research Agenda. Rural Economy and Land Use Programme Briefing Series No. 3. http://www.relu.ac.uk/news/briefings/RELU%20Brief3%2024pp.pdf (24.05.2010) 3 Smith, L. E. D., H. Cook, A. Inman, D. Benson and A. Jordan (2010). Sinking or swimming? Surveying community based catchment groups in England and Wales. Water and Environment 2010, CIWEM?s Annual Conference, April 28th-29th, London, UK 4 Nilsson, M., A. Jordan, J. Turnpenny, J. Hertin, B. Nykvist and D. Russel (2008). The use and non-use of policy appraisal tools in public policy making: an analysis of three European countries and the European Union. Policy Sciences 41(4): 335-355 Page 3 of 13 incoherence between end-user expectations and model deliverables. Current UK Research Councils-funded research by the applicants shows that this situation can be reversed if a novel collaborative process of model development is adopted where the product is tailored to the end-user needs and those stakeholders key in making decisions and delivering the necessary actions are involved5. This process ensures credibility and scientific rigour of models, allows improvement of models by incorporating stakeholder knowledge, and builds trust in models from those deciding or affected by the decisions. Considerable KE opportunities exist for transferring this collaborative process of model development, strengthening capacity in the public and voluntary sectors to take it up, and building long-term relationships between research institutions and these sectors to ensure sustainability of the process.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/J500513/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Knowledge Exchange Fellowships
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- KE Fellows
This fellowship award has a total value of £98,607
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Exception - Other Costs | DI - Staff | Exception - T&S |
|---|---|---|
| £24,632 | £69,606 | £4,370 |
If you need further help, please read the user guide.