water@leeds at Be Curious festival
Researchers from water@leeds will be taking part in this year’s Be Curious festival, inviting visitors to explore the challenges and possibilities of living with water in a changing climate.
At Be Curious the University of Leeds opens its doors so that visitors can explore the incredible work our researchers are doing to shape the future.
The water@leeds team have created an activity called, “Too Much Water...or Not Enough?”, offering a hands-on, family-friendly experience that brings cutting-edge water research to life. The event takes place on Saturday 16 May, 10am–4pm, and is free to attend, with free tickets available online.
Exploring Water Futures Through Interactive ‘Homes’
At the heart of the activity is a creative installation developed by the water@leeds Next Water Chapter Initiative team, featuring three “future homes” designed to help visitors imagine how everyday life could be shaped by water extremes:
- 🏠 WET House – explores how households might adapt to increased flooding
- 🏠 DRY House – examines living with water scarcity and drought
- 🏠 MAD House – focuses on managing water independently at home
Visitors will be invited to sort everyday objects, test their own ideas, and consider practical ways to live well with water under different future scenarios. The activity is designed to spark conversation, raise awareness, and capture public views on water resilience.
Engaging Communities Across Yorkshire
This Be Curious activity forms part of the Next Water Chapter Initiative, launched on 14 January 2026 and led by Dr Paul Hutchings (water@leeds Associate Director for Impact) and Dr Ruth Sylvester (Research Fellow in Civil Engineering).
The initiative aims to bring together communities, water sector partners, and stakeholders to explore alternative water futures for Yorkshire. By making visible the trade-offs, values, and decisions involved, the project aims to support more informed and inclusive planning for the region’s water systems in the decades ahead.
Join the Conversation
water@leeds is encouraging visitors of all ages to get involved, share their ideas, and contribute to shaping future approaches to water in Yorkshire. Dr Paul Hutchings said:
We’re excited to connect with local communities at Be Curious and hear their perspectives on how we can respond to both water scarcity and flooding.
👉 Book your free tickets and find out more about Be Curious