Skip to content
Natural Environment Research Council
Grants on the Web - Return to homepage Logo

Details of Award

NERC Reference : NE/S008926/1

GCRF Living Deltas Hub

Grant Award

Principal Investigator:
Professor ARG Large, Newcastle University, Sch of Geog, Politics and Sociology
Co-Investigator:
Dr I Pal, Asian Institute of Technology, Disaster Prep, Mitigation & Management
Co-Investigator:
Dr T Nguyen, An Giang University, UNLISTED
Co-Investigator:
Professor M Khan, Bangladesh Univ of Eng and Tech (BUET), Institute of Water and Flood Management
Co-Investigator:
Dr Z Sebesvari, United Nations University, EHS
Co-Investigator:
Dr C Button, Newcastle University, Sch of Architect, Planning & Landscape
Co-Investigator:
Dr N Dao, York University Canada, York Centre for Asian Research
Co-Investigator:
Professor F Renaud, University of Glasgow, School of Interdisciplinary Studies
Co-Investigator:
Dr V Nguyen, An Giang University, Environment and Climate Change
Co-Investigator:
Mr P Van, Can Tho University, UNLISTED
Co-Investigator:
Dr H Metcalf, Newcastle University, Newcastle University Business School
Co-Investigator:
Dr T Vu, Hoa Sen University, Faculty of Science and Engineering
Co-Investigator:
Professor GR Smith, Newcastle University, Sch of History, Classics and Archaeology
Co-Investigator:
Dr S McGowan, Netherlands Inst of Ecology NIOO KNAW, UNLISTED
Co-Investigator:
Professor H Berry, Newcastle University, Sch of History, Classics and Archaeology
Co-Investigator:
Dr T DUONG, Vietnam Academy of Science & Technology, Institute of Environmental Technology
Co-Investigator:
Dr A Trinh, Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute, Nuclear Training Center
Co-Investigator:
Dr G Long, Newcastle University, Sch of Geog, Politics and Sociology
Co-Investigator:
Dr D Thu Nga, Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute, Nuclear Training Center
Co-Investigator:
Dr M Ali, Bangladesh Univ of Eng and Tech (BUET), Civil Engineering
Co-Investigator:
Professor JM Amezaga, Newcastle University, Sch of Engineering
Co-Investigator:
Dr B Ho, An Giang University, UNLISTED
Co-Investigator:
Dr U Navera, Bangladesh Univ of Eng and Tech (BUET), UNLISTED
Co-Investigator:
Professor ACG Henderson, Newcastle University, Sch of Geog, Politics and Sociology
Co-Investigator:
Dr HT Le, Vietnam National University, Centre for Natural Resources and Environ
Co-Investigator:
Professor Q Liang, Loughborough University, Architecture, Building and Civil Eng
Co-Investigator:
Dr O Hensengerth, Northumbria University, Fac of Engineering and Environment
Co-Investigator:
Dr A M Law, Newcastle University, Sch of Architect, Planning & Landscape
Co-Investigator:
Professor JM Williams, Durham University, Finance
Co-Investigator:
Professor A AghaKouchak, University of California, Irvine, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Co-Investigator:
Dr T Thi Phung Ha, Can Tho University, Agricultural Systems
Co-Investigator:
Dr S Roy, Bengal Engineering College, UNLISTED
Co-Investigator:
Dr AM Bass, University of Glasgow, School of Geographical & Earth Sciences
Co-Investigator:
Dr E Foufoula-Georgiou, University of California, Irvine, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Co-Investigator:
Mr GE Corsane, Newcastle University, Sch of Arts and Cultures
Co-Investigator:
Professor P Barker, Lancaster University, Lancaster Environment Centre
Co-Investigator:
Dr V Panizzo, University of Nottingham, Sch of Geography
Co-Investigator:
Professor JB Goddard, Newcastle University, Sch of Geog, Politics and Sociology
Co-Investigator:
Professor M Baillie Smith, Northumbria University, Fac of Arts, Design and Social Sciences
Co-Investigator:
Professor H Fowler, Newcastle University, Sch of Engineering
Co-Investigator:
Mr T V Nguyen, An Giang University, Research Center for Rural Development
Co-Investigator:
Dr T Vo, Vietnam National University, UNLISTED
Co-Investigator:
Professor L Bracken, Northumbria University, Fac of Engineering and Environment
Co-Investigator:
Dr A Aftab, Durham University, Economics
Co-Investigator:
Dr MK Roy, Lancaster University, Lancaster Environment Centre
Co-Investigator:
Dr MK Sanyal, Bengal Engineering College, UNLISTED
Co-Investigator:
Dr T Ghosh, Jadavpur University, UNLISTED
Co-Investigator:
Dr F Hernandez Adrian, Durham University, Modern Languages and Cultures
Co-Investigator:
Dr M Salehin, Bangladesh Univ of Eng and Tech (BUET), Institute of Water and Flood Management
Co-Investigator:
Professor SM Chilton, Newcastle University, Newcastle University Business School
Co-Investigator:
Professor D Duxbury, Newcastle University, Newcastle University Business School
Co-Investigator:
Dr SS Szabo, Asian Institute of Technology, UNLISTED
Co-Investigator:
Dr S Sharma, Newcastle University, Newcastle University Business School
Co-Investigator:
Mr S AHMED, University of Glasgow, College of Medical, Veterinary, Life Sci
Co-Investigator:
Professor M Roe, Newcastle University, Sch of Architect, Planning & Landscape
Co-Investigator:
Dr T Balke, University of Glasgow, School of Geographical & Earth Sciences
Co-Investigator:
Dr S Nowreen, Bangladesh Univ of Eng and Tech (BUET), Institute of Water and Flood Management
Co-Investigator:
Professor L Todd, Newcastle University, Sch of Education Comm & Lang Sci
Science Area:
None
Overall Classification:
Unknown
ENRIs:
None
Science Topics:
None
Abstract:
River deltas comprise only 1% of global landscapes, yet support over half a billion people. Deltas are tightly coupled social-ecological systems (SESs), but human exploitation, environmental degradation and threats from climate change increasingly threaten these delicate interfaces between land and water. The intractable development challenge addressed by this bid is how to avoid the collapse of South and SE Asian deltas as functioning, highly productive social-ecological systems in the face of human development and the projected consequences of climate change. The proposed Living Deltas Hub focuses on the delta SESs of three major rivers in South and Southeast Asia: the Red River and Mekong (Vietnam) and Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM: Bangladesh, India). Deltas form part of wider river basins and so the Hub will also engage with other riparian country researchers, in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. The stakes for the project are clear: 70% of the Mekong delta is highly vulnerable to flooding with 7 million people at risk. Sea level rise in Bangladesh could displace between 3 and 13 million by 2100. SE-Asian mega-deltas produce 88% of the world's rice, but the 98cm of sea level rise predicted under IPCC AR5 (2014) would render 16% of arable land in Bangladesh and 25% in Vietnam unusable by 2100. Upstream damming and sediment retention is also a major threat, with resulting delta subsidence putting 12 million people in 23 Asian cities at risk from water inundation. As human impacts increase, the need for locally-rooted sustainable development strategies underpinned by traditional knowledge becomes ever greater. The GCRF Living Deltas Hub will co-develop the transdisciplinary frameworks needed to understand delta SESs, and will work with delta-dwellers and policymakers to develop solutions that can help realise the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in delta contexts. The Hub is novel - no other existing or previous international delta initiative has specifically addressed the SDGs by co-creating new natural and cultural heritage understandings of deltas. It is timely, as it addresses the crucial challenges of SE Asian delta degradation early in the lifespan of the SDGs and so contributes to the development of SDG monitoring and planning - globally and regionally, as well as in country contexts. The Hub is innovative as it emphasizes transdisciplinary integration of the earth and life sciences, social sciences, humanities and arts, to address these common challenges The Hub will operate on a model of 'equitable partnership', involving delta-dwellers and the research community in developing knowledge and policy for better delta futures. The Hub comprises six innovative work packages co-developed with Global South partners and research institutes addressing specific in-country and delta-scale needs. Its new knowledge will serve to build capacity and shape policy at local, national, regional and global levels. The Hub will have lasting impact through improved livelihoods and more resilient communities, sustainable management and conservation, improved monitoring of SDG indicators and better policies for sustainable development. The Hub brings together a transdisciplinary team of experts and practitioners from Global 'North' and 'South'. Hub strengths are in: coupled human and natural systems analyses; demography and international development; natural hazard modelling and coastal resilience; environmental monitoring and modelling; policy and practice of resource management, hazard, risk and resilience; SDG-focused analyses of delta systems and their vulnerability to hazards; justice and governance; behavioral finance; delta nutrition and food security; and gender-sensitive research. Working together with stakeholders from delta countries, the research team have the knowledge, expertise and track record to build new understandings of delta change, new partnerships, and new solutions.
Period of Award:
13 Feb 2019 - 30 Sep 2024
Value:
£15,287,249
Authorised funds only
NERC Reference:
NE/S008926/1
Grant Stage:
Awaiting Termination
Scheme:
RCUK
Grant Status:
Active
Programme:
18GCRFHubsFull

This grant award has a total value of £15,287,249  

top of page


FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)

DI - Other CostsException - Other CostsIndirect - Indirect CostsDA - InvestigatorsDA - Estate CostsDI - StaffDA - Other Directly AllocatedDI - T&S
£915,643£5,912,105£2,915,243£952,016£674,918£2,666,597£134,361£1,116,363

If you need further help, please read the user guide.