Project details
Project rationale:
Flood risk is controlled by both the hydrology and the physical shape and behaviour of a river and its floodplain (e.g., river type and behaviour; impacts of artificial modifications). Although hydrological drivers are easily recorded and well understood, how they interact with river behaviour and the impacts of extensive artificial modifications are not. Existing data and tools are limited, vary between UK nations, and require development. This creates a gap in our ability to manage flood risk in future.
To address this gap we need national coverage of geospatial data to understand: (1) existing river attributes and landscape conditions that influence their behaviour (e.g. stream power; sediment flux; valley confinement); and (2) distribution and type of physical modifications. This baseline data can then be used to create tools which characterise how responsive different sections of river are to floods (both now and in the future with climate change), based on the type and extent of anthropogenic modifications and underlying channel characteristics. These data should also be useful to understand more about wider natural riverscape functioning, which additional uses such as catchment-scale scoping for river restoration and understanding the impact of different types of future development.
Methodology:
This PhD will aim to improve our understanding of how flood risk changes due to zones of increased channel adjustment, by building on existing datasets and projects (e.g. Environment Agency’s Channel Sensitivity Project, 2021, Grieg et al., 2006; SEPA, 2021). The work will assess existing river characteristics, behaviour and physical modifications, using these to map geomorphically-controlled flood risk from ‘hot spots’ to ‘cool spots’ across the fluvial network, and develop knowledge and tools to understand the risk better. The anticipated research stages are:
(1) Review existing science and national-scale datasets that are used or could be used to identify zones of geomorphically-controlled flood risk:
(2) Identify scientific and data gaps which need to be filled in order to improve our understanding of geomorphically-controlled flood risk.
(3) Combine literature review findings with existing data to create new maps or tools to map hotspots of river responsiveness, resilience, and geomorphically-controlled flood risk.
(4) Quantify the degree of confidence and uncertainty associated with risk predictions by comparing improved risk predictions with locations of channel adjustment identified from existing geomorphic studies into previous major floods (e.g., Storm Desmond).
The outputs should enable better predictive capabilities, by understanding and improving how geomorphic and landscape processes control flood risk.
References:
Environment Agency, 2021 ‘Understanding river channel sensitivity to geomorphological changes’ Understanding river channel sensitivity to geomorphological changes – GOV.UK >Greig S.M., Richardson R. and Gibson J. (2006). A new impact assessment tool to support river engineering regulatory decisions: SNIFFER Technical Report. Project No. WFD49. A12. Morphological Impact Assessment System (MImAS) – PRAGMO (therrc.co.uk)
SEPA (2021) – Will the river do the work? will-the-river-do-the-work.pdf (sepa.org.uk)
Supervisors
Entry requirements
Our entry requirements are listed using standard UK undergraduate degree classifications i.e. first-class honours, upper second-class honours and lower second-class honours. To learn the equivalent for your country, please choose it from the drop-down below.
Entry requirements for United Kingdom
Applicants must already have, or expect to shortly graduate with, a very good undergraduate degree or Master’s degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree) – or an equivalent international qualification from a high ranking university – in a relevant subject. EU and Overseas applicants should achieve an IELTS score of 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each competency.
English language requirements
Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2025-26 entry
UK fee
Fully funded Full-time degree per annum
International fee
Fully funded Full-time degree per annum
Fees for the 2025-26 academic year apply to projects starting in October 2025.
Find out more about research degree funding
Studentship type – UKRI through Flood-CDT.
The studentship is for 3.5 years and provides a tax-free stipend of £19,237 per annum plus tuition fees at the UK rate. Excellent International candidates are eligible for a full international fee waiver however due to UKRI funding rules, no more than 30% of the studentships funded by this grant can be awarded to International candidates.
How to apply
All applications should be made online. Under programme name, select Geography and Environment. Please quote the advertised reference number: FCDT-25-LU5 in your application. This PhD is being advertised as part of the Centre for Doctoral Training for Resilient Flood Futures (FLOOD-CDT). Further details about FLOOD-CDT can be found here. Please note, that your application will be assessed upon: (1) Motivation and Career Aspirations; (2) Potential & Intellectual Excellence; (3) Suitability for specific project and (4) Fit to FLOOD-CDT. So please familiarise yourselves with FLOOD-CDT before applying. During the application process candidates will need to upload:
- a 1 page statement of your research interests in flooding and FLOOD-CDT and your rationale for your choice of project
- a curriculum vitae giving details of your academic record and stating your research interests
- academic transcripts and degree certificates (translated if not in English)
- a IELTS/TOEFL certificate, if applicable.
You are encouraged to contact potential supervisors by email to discuss project specific aspects of the proposed prior to submitting your application. If you have any general questions please contact floodcdt@soton.ac.uk.
