#ExpertProfile
Professor Alan Jenkins
UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology – Director of Science
An Accredited Expert, Professor Alan Jenkins, represents the UK government on the IHP Council – the UN body devoted to water research and management and related education and capacity development.
Alan is the Director of Science at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH). A hydrologist by training, Alan Chairs the UK IHP National Committee and leads the UK input to UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP). In his early career, Professor Jenkins focused on water quality science, including experimental field monitoring and modelling approaches, and delivering projects both nationally and internationally.
Alan has extensive experience of working within the UN system as; Hydrological Advisor to the UK Government with WMO; as a Member of the WMO Hydrological Coordination Panel, and as Leader of the WMO Task Team for the Global Hydrological Status and Outlook System (HydroSOS).
In Europe, he is a Member of the Science Advisory Group of the EU Water Joint Programming Initiative, UK representative on the European Network of Water Research Institutes (EURAQUA). In the UK, he is Co-Director of Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, a Member of the UK National Hazards Partnership, Steering Committee and a Member of the Scottish Government Centre for Research in Water, Programme Steering Group. He is an Honorary Professor at Lancaster University and a Visiting Professor at University College, London.
#Institution
UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
Deputy Director
SINCE 2011
#Alma-Matter
University of Leeds
BSc, PhD.
LEEDS
#Role at UNESCO
UK Representative on the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme.
SINCE 2013
QUOTE
“Politicians have to listen to scientists — no matter what the complexity of their research is. It is our job to understand how the environment changes.”
Professor Jenkins, Speaking about the necessity of science within politics.
All accredited experts within our network are elected onto a specific international committee or programme within UNESCO’s framework
ROLE AT UNESCO
Professor Alan Jenkins is the UK Representative on the IHP Council, the only UN body devoted to water research, management and related education development.
Institutions
University of Lancaster
Honorary Professor
University College London
Visiting Professor in the Geography Department
Role at UNESCO
Head of the UK Delegation to the UNESCO International Hydrology Programme.
SINCE 2013
COMMISSION
UK Representation: IHP – Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme
ESTABLISHED 1975 – PARIS, FRANCE
The Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) facilitates and encourages hydrological research whilst also assisting Member States in research and training activities too. The main objective of their current, eighth phase, is to put science into action required for water security.
Publications
SELECTED PUBLISHED WORK
Read some of Alan’s published work on our website, as well as other material, news and articles.
Impacts of soil and water pollution on food safety and health risks in China.
APRIL 2015
#EnvironmentInternational
Alan and his team have compiled a comprehensive record of soil and water pollution threats to food safety in China. With this research, they have forged new policies that address soil and water pollution, and suggest a holistic approach to achieving both food safety and security.
Addressing China’s grand challenge of achieving food security while ensuring environmental sustainability.
15 FEB 2015
#FoodSecurityandSustainability
Alan, alongside colleagues, presents a holistic approach to both science and policy with the aim of ensuring future food security in China. He hopes that this can be done, whilst also embracing the ambition of achieving environmental sustainability at the same time.
Accounting for Ecosystem Services in Water Quality Standards Compliance.
NOVEMBER 2014
#WaterQuality
Water quality is not as clearcut as you may imagine. Pristine targets of ‘Good Ecological Status’ for all surface waters by 2015 is an unachievable goal, according to Professor Jenkins. Instead we must consider the applications of surface water pools in order to understand how to maintain them to the best quality possible, whilst still ensuring that they provide for the reliant surrounding habitats.
Potential influences on the United Kingdom’s floods of winter 2013/14.
AUGUST 2014
#UKFloods
During the winter of 2013/14, much of the UK experienced repeated intense rainfall events and flooding – this damaged property and transport infrastructure heavily. This work addresses the key question of whether the burning of fossil fuels is changing the frequency of natural flooding, and if so to what extent.
LATEST
QUOTE
“We are absolutely convinced that there is weighty scientific evidence that the recent extreme rainfall has been impacted by climate change.”
Professor Jenkins, Discussing his research into UK flooding.
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