Research

Mission 1: Undertake transformational fundamental and applied research that enables us to be at the heart of the global water research and innovation community

Changing climate and rainfall patterns, growing global populations, shifting land use patterns and increasing water consumption: the wide variety of experts operating across disciplines means water@leeds can rise to these challenges.

The water@leeds research community are inspired by the global and regional grand challenges for water. Addressing major research questions through the provision of coordination support, creation of an intellectually stimulating environment, promotion of activities and appointment of outstanding staff to deliver world-leading research, will help to realise our core aims of delivering impact to varied end-users.

Current Research Highlights

• Governing rivers as legal persons: Developing a kin-centric rights framework to address Brazil’s river crisis, 2026-2030.

A POLIS research team led by Dr Markus Fraundorfer has secured major international funding for this ambitious project exploring how granting legal rights to rivers could help tackle Brazil’s river crisis.  Backed by nearly £1.1 million from the UK ESRC and FAPESP, the four-year project brings together experts from Leeds, São Paulo State University, and inspiring global partners.

Working with riverine communities, activists, and scholars, the team will explore kin-centric approaches that reimagine rivers not as commodities, but as living relations deserving care and protection. By blending innovative research with real-world case studies, the project aims to shape bold new models of river governance for Brazil—and beyond.

• Hi‑RISE - Himalayan glacier-fed River and Stream Ecosystems, 2025-2028.

Led by Professor Lee Brown and Professor Duncan Quincey, Hi-RISE brings together a portfolio of funding that fuels its ambitious research agenda. It is anchored by a UK Natural Environment Research Council–funded Pushing the Frontiers project exploring how glacier retreat is reshaping aquatic biodiversity in the Himalayas, alongside a University of Leeds PhD scholarship supporting Claudia Alvarado’s work on glacier change and river ecosystems.

The programme is further strengthened by generous travel funding from The Mount Everest Foundation, the Society for Freshwater Science, with additional backing from Research England impact support—together enabling dynamic, internationally engaged research with real‑world impact.

International Projects and Collaborations

• University of Georgia –Leeds Faculty Mobility Program

Professor Seth Wenger from the University of Georgia visited water@leeds in April 2026 as part of the UGA–Leeds Faculty Mobility Program which fosters new research and teaching collaborations between the two universities.  Seth is Director of Science at UGA’s River Basin Center and Director of Public Service & Outreach, and also represented colleagues from the Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems (IRIS).  Hosted by Dr Megan Klaar, Seth's visit included a presentation as part of the River Basin Processes and Management research cluster seminar series. His presentation showcased cutting-edge research on nature-based solutions, environmental flows, low-flow impacts and management, dam removal and river restoration, alongside emerging work on biodiversity accounting.

• Freshwater Conservation Seminars

water@leeds hosted the Freshwater Conservation Seminars in February 2026.  Led by Dr Josie South, the event brought together researchers, practitioners, museums, and NGOs to focus on the conservation of often overlooked freshwater biodiversity, particularly freshwater fishes. The seminars showcased global case studies, practical conservation initiatives, and interdisciplinary research, providing a platform for sharing challenges, successes, and innovative methods such as biodiversity monitoring and community-engaged conservation.  The event was designed to encourage collaboration, knowledge exchange, and new partnerships among those working to protect freshwater ecosystems worldwide, while also welcoming students and early‑career researchers into the conversation.

National Events 

• British Society for Geomorphology (BSG) Annual Conference 2025

BSG2025 hosted by water@leeds alongside the School of Geography and the River Basin Processes and Management research cluster, brought together a vibrant geomorphology community for the Society’s annual flagship event. The conference showcased cutting‑edge research and practice through inspiring talks, posters, specialist workshops and field trips, while celebrating excellence via BSG medal lectures and the Cuchlaine King Symposium. With a strong focus on supporting early career researchers and marking 50 years of Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, BSG2025 offered an inclusive, forward‑looking programme of knowledge sharing, professional development and networking.

• British Hydrological Society Conference 2026 comes to Leeds