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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260204T120000
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DTSTAMP:20260113T103935Z
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SUMMARY:FWR Panel discussion: Microplastic pollution in the water environment
DESCRIPTION:Join us for our upcoming event that will bring together experts to explore the growing issue of microplastics in our aquatic and marine environments\, and the implications for sustainable wastewater management. The event will feature lightning presentations from experts\, exploring topics including the scale of microplastic pollution in our watercourses\, key sources of microplastics\, and the ecotoxicological effects of microplastics in aquatic environments. \nThe presentations will be followed by a facilitated panel discussion\, giving attendees an opportunity to pose their own questions. \nPresentations include: \n\nMicroplastics: sources\, effects and solutions\nThe ecotoxicity of microplastics\nFrom clear waters to plastic soup? Microplastic pollution in chalk rivers\n\nThis event has been organised by the FWR’s Sustainable Wastewater Management Technical Panel. It is free and open to all. \nOur speakers\nDr Winnie Courtene-Jones \nWinnie is a Lecturer in Marine Pollution at Bangor University. She is a marine environmental scientist with over a decade researching the sources\, environmental prevalence\, effects\, and solutions to (micro)plastic pollution. \nShe has studied (micro)plastic pollution in a variety of terrestrial and marine environments\, from agricultural soils and coastline to some of the most remote parts of our planet\, including the deep sea and oceanic gyres. She has led research into the global land-sea releases and movement of plastics (‘eXXpedition Round the World)\, and the environmental degradation and impacts of biodegradable and bio-based plastics across terrestrial and marine environments (NERC-funded “Bio-Plastic-Risk” project). Her interdisciplinary work has furthered understanding of the risks of plastic pollution in a changing world and informs effective solutions. \nSince 2021\, Winnie has been supporting the development of the UN Global Plastics Treaty – a legally binding instrument to address plastic pollution. She has attended the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee sessions and is a core member of the Scientists’ Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty\, co-leading working groups on ‘Microplastics’\, ‘Alternative & substitute Plastics’\, and ‘Plastic Product Design’. \nDr Corina Ciocan \nA Marine Biologist\, Corina’s expertise is in functional ecotoxicology\, focusing on biological responses of marine organisms to environmental stressors. Corina is Principal Lecturer at the University of Brighton. Prior to working at the University of Brighton\, UK\, Corina was a full-time Research Fellow at the University of Sussex\, UK after starting as a Research Assistant for the Romanian National Marine Institute. She was involved in a wide range of international research programmes (International Mussel Watch\, EU Interreg Channel)\, investigating the detoxification mechanisms in marine invertebrates\, DNA damage and impairment of reproduction mechanisms. Recently\, Corina has developed a strong interest in the marine microplastics pollution and the potential input from boating activities. \nCorina has published her research in high impact scientific journals\, written book chapters and has appeared in TV and radio programs centred around her research into the contamination of the aquatic environment. Corina teaches Marine Biology at the University of Brighton UK and she brings a lot of her personal experience into the class room\, encouraging students to participate in laboratory research and coastal surveys. In her spare time\, Corina enjoys travelling\, swimming\, reading and walking her dog\, Lulu. \nDr Alice Horton \nAlice is a UKRI Future Leaders Fellow and Senior Research Fellow at the Marine Biological Association. Her expertise lies in microplastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems. Her current research focusses on how microplastics will interact with wider environmental stressors (multistressors; including chemical contamination and climate change) to affect marine ecosystems\, now and into the future. \nShe began her research on microplastics in 2014 at the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology where she studied abundance and ecotoxicity of microplastics in freshwater and terrestrial systems. After gaining her PhD from Leiden University (Netherlands)\, she moved to the National Oceanography Centre to investigate the flows of microplastics from rivers to the sea\, and their interactions with estuarine and marine organisms. She started her fellowship at the MBA in 2025. \nHeader image credit: © boophuket | Adobe Stock
URL:https://fwr.org/event/fwr-panel-discussion-microplastic-pollution-in-the-water-environment/
LOCATION:Online Event
CATEGORIES:FWR Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fwr.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Plastic-and-litter-pollution-on-a-beach-mixed-with-driftwood-and-natural-waste-©-boophuket-via-Adobe-Stock-scaled.jpeg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260507T143000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260507T151500
DTSTAMP:20260414T133744Z
CREATED:20260414T133744Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260414T133744Z
UID:10000040-1778164200-1778166900@fwr.org
SUMMARY:Delivering rainwater management as part of the Integrated Water Management Plan in Greater Manchester
DESCRIPTION:This Foundation for Water Research (FWR) webinar will provide an overview of United Utilities’ approach to rainwater management. It will include the drivers for taking a different approach to how rainwater is captured and managed where it falls\, with the aim of replumbing the North West of England. The webinar will cover what this looks like in real terms\, with reference to different ways projects are being developed and delivered to ensure an integrated approach \nThe speaker will also introduce a related case study\, of a schools project being delivered as part of Project FLOW. \nOur speaker\nJohnny Phillips is a Business Development Manager for Rainwater Management at United Utilities. He developed the company’s Rainwater Management strategy\, successfully enablin the Advanced WINEP and Climate Resilience programmes – valued at £300m. He now leads planning and partnerships to identify\, collaborate and deliver its ambitions to transform how rainwater is managed. \nHeader image credit: © Maksim via Adobe Stock
URL:https://fwr.org/event/delivering-rainwater-management-as-part-of-the-integrated-water-management-plan-in-greater-manchester/
LOCATION:Online Event
CATEGORIES:FWR Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fwr.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Sun-breaking-through-grey-clouds-over-the-sea-©-Maksim-Adobe-stock.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260720T123000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260720T131500
DTSTAMP:20260611T140306Z
CREATED:20260611T135748Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260611T140306Z
UID:10000041-1784550600-1784553300@fwr.org
SUMMARY:Recharge and Soil Moisture Dynamics: Improving Groundwater Models and Geohazard Assessment
DESCRIPTION:Groundwater is a critical water resource in the UK and globally. Its effective management and protection depend on robust hydrogeological judgement supported by scientific calculations that quantify the water budget and simulate groundwater flow. Recharge is the primary driver of hydrological models and a parameter that must be defined at the very start of any modelling exercise. \nRecharge estimation methods vary widely and are influenced by climate\, land cover\, soil properties\, and soil saturation conditions. Limited data availability and the difficulty of validating recharge estimates remain major challenges. Global data sources are key if national data are not available and the estimated recharge and soil moisture datasets unlock opportunities not only for groundwater resource assessment but also for tackling geohazard-related problems. \nThis Foundation for Water Research (FWR) webinar will explore the methods used to calculate recharge and the conceptual frameworks that underpin them. It will also highlight possible approaches for validating recharge estimates\, for example the applications of geophysical and soil moisture monitoring techniques. We will demonstrate how recharge and soil moisture information can inform groundwater resource management and support geohazard investigations using case studies from the UK and India. \nThis session offers a valuable opportunity to deepen your understanding of recharge estimation approaches used in hydrological modelling\, their limitations\, and the directions in which the field is evolving. \nThis FWR webinar is free and open to all. \nOur speaker\nDr Majdi Mansour\nGroundwater Modeller at the British Geological Survey \nDr Majdi Mansour is a civil engineer with 23 years of experience in groundwater modelling and hydrogeological research. His work focuses on developing and applying numerical methods to assess groundwater resources under changing climate conditions. He has authored several hydrological modelling tools used nationally and locally\, including ZOODRM\, the distributed recharge model for estimating recharge across the British mainland. Dr Mansour contributes to projects examining the role of soil moisture and groundwater in geohazards\, supporting the BGS clay swell-shrink GeoClimate product and other research on landslides and coastal erosion. His expertise in modelling\, recharge estimation and soil moisture dynamics underpins improved groundwater and geohazard management. \n  \nHeader image credit: © rohawk via Adobe Stock
URL:https://fwr.org/event/groundwater-recharge-soil-moisture-webinar/
LOCATION:Online Event
CATEGORIES:FWR Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fwr.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Environmental-scientists-collecting-soil-samples-out-in-the-field-©-rohawk-via-Adobe-Stock-scaled.jpeg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261029T123000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261029T131500
DTSTAMP:20260810T091033Z
CREATED:20260810T091033Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260810T091033Z
UID:10000044-1793277000-1793279700@fwr.org
SUMMARY:Are we really applying a systems approach to natural flood management?
DESCRIPTION:A systems approach views an issue as part of a larger\, interconnected whole rather than one component in isolation. The approach focuses on the relationships\, patterns\, and feedback loops among a system’s individual parts to anticipate unintended consequences and find lasting solutions. The term ‘natural flood management’ (NFM) entered our lexicon in the early 2000s to articulate the concept of enhancing the environment to reduce flood risk and to signal a shift away from ‘hard’ engineering solutions. \nIn this webinar\, the current appetite for promoting and implementing NFM will be examined through a systems-thinking lens. The hypothesis that our current approach to NFM embraces systems thinking will be interrogated through the use of real and conceptual examples from the UK and the conclusions will examine whether more environmentally sustainable outcomes could be delivered. \nThis webinar is free and open to all. \n\nOur speaker\nRob McInnes is Managing Director of RM Wetlands & Environment Ltd\, a former Associate Professor at Charles Sturt University\, an independent Chartered Environmentalist and an accredited Professional Wetland Scientist with over 35 years’ experience in wetland-related environmental research\, consultancy and conservation. He has worked on over 600 wetland-related projects both within the UK and in over 40 other countries and has knowledge extending across a range of wetland types from upland peatlands to lowland floodplains and urban lakes to domestic ponds. Rob has supported the work of intergovernmental agencies such as CBD\, UNESCO\, UN-Habitat and\, in particular\, the Convention on Wetlands (‘Ramsar Convention’) where he served on their Scientific and Technical Review Panel for 15 years. Rob also undertakes both practical and policy-related projects and training and capacity-building initiatives for local governments\, governmental institutions\, private companies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) including Wildlife Trusts\, the National Trust\, IUCN and Wetlands International and is currently an advisor to several of the UK’s Rivers Trusts. \nPrior to working independently\, Rob was a Director at a UK-based independent ecological consultancy. Before this he was Head of Wetland Conservation at the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust and Managing Director of their specialist wetland consultancy\, WWT Consulting. He has also worked in academia at the University of Exeter and Royal Holloway and in private consultancy. Rob established RM Wetlands & Environment Ltd in 2011 as a specialist consultancy dedicated to the delivery of the wise use of wetlands with the intention of making the business obsolete by the time he retired. \nIn addition to his project work Rob is a former President of the European Chapter of the Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS)\, was elected as an International Fellow of SWS in 2018\, has served as a board member of SWS\, an Associate Editor on SWS’s journal Wetlands and has been awarded the President’s Service Award for the significant contributions he has made in promoting the goals of the Society. He is a former President of the SWS Professional Certification Program. Rob was previously an Associate Professor at the Institute of Land\, Water and Society at Charles Sturt University\, Australia. He regularly publishes articles in peer-reviewed papers\, books\, conference proceedings and more popular press items and presents findings of scientific and applied aspects of wetlands at international conferences and workshops as well as at local and site levels for non-expert audiences. \nOver his lifetime\, it is estimated that the world has lost more than 13% of its remaining wetlands. This loss continues today. \nHeader image credit: © Alan Smithers via Adobe Stock
URL:https://fwr.org/event/are-we-really-applying-a-systems-approach-to-natural-flood-management/
LOCATION:Online Event
CATEGORIES:FWR Webinar
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fwr.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Twyford-Bridge-on-the-River-Medway-during-a-flood-UK-©-Alan-Smithers-via-Adobe-Stock-scaled.jpeg
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