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Environment

More information on research at Reading

Knowledge and solutions for a secure and sustainable society


The University of Reading is globally recognised as a world-leader in research on the environment. 

At a time of unprecedented global change and pressures on our natural environment, our mission is to deliver the knowledge and solutions that are required to reduce and, where possible, reverse environmental damage, to build a more resilient society and to enable effective adaptation. 

To achieve our ambitions, we conduct world-leading research across a wide breadth of environmental science, build new transdisciplinary solution-focused collaborations, and work with partners in business, government, and civil society to achieve positive impact.  
 
Our priorities are to:

  • Provide new understanding of fundamental processes shaping global environmental change including interactions with society.
  • Expand the capacity and delivery of research and engagement to address the urgent demand for environmental solutions.
  • Nurture an open research culture with high ambition which supports researchers at all career stages and from all backgrounds.

Research Divisions


  • Weather
  • Climate
  • Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
  • Chemical Sciences
  • Built Environment
  • Environmental Science
  • Maths & Statistics
  • Earth Observation & Space
  • Computer Science
Bee on flowerGraphic of a satellite passing over the Earth with clouds belowAn elephant on a verdant plainSun amidst a corona of clouds

research highlights

Pollinators: first global risk index for species declines and effects on humanity
Disappearing habitats and use of pesticides are driving the loss of pollinator species around the world, posing a threat to “ecosystem services” that provide food and wellbeing to many millions – particularly in the Global South – as well as billions of dollars in crop productivity. An initial evaluation of the available evidence to create the first planetary risk index of the causes and effects of dramatic pollinator declines in six global regions has been published in Nature Ecology & Evolution and is co-authored by Dr Tom Breeze.

‘Fingerprints’ of extreme weather revealed by new statistical approach
Determining if particular extreme hot or cold spells were caused by climate change could be made easier by a new mathematical method developed by physicists at the University of Reading and Uppsala University in Sweden. The statistical method looks at the characteristics, or ‘fingerprints’, of a specific extreme weather event of interest, like a heatwave, in order to ascertain whether it can be attributed to natural variability of the climate or is a unique product of climate change. The method also allows predictions to be made about how likely extreme climate events will be in the future.

Climate change ‘double whammy’ could kill off fish species 
New research published in Nature Climate Change, and co-authored by Professor Chris Venditti, suggests that fish like sardines, pilchards and herring will struggle to keep pace with accelerating climate change as warmer waters reduce their size, and therefore their ability to relocate to more suitable environments. The study also provides the first evidence to counter the scientific theory that decreased movement will result in more species, by suggesting the opposite is true.

Butterflies regularly cross the Sahara in longest-known insect migration
A species of butterfly found in Sub-Saharan Africa is able to migrate thousands of miles to Europe, crossing the Saharan Desert, in years when weather conditions are favourable, scientists have found. The international research team’s findings increase understanding of how insects, including pollinators, pests and the diseases they carry could spread between continents in future and could help predictions of the movements of other insects that affect people, such as malaria-carrying mosquitoes.

New radar to measure global winds makes space mission shortlist
A new radar on a satellite that would measure winds within clouds in order to better predict extreme weather has been shortlisted as a potential new space mission. WIVERN (Wind Velocity Radar Nephoscope), being developed by a team led by the University of Reading, was one of four ideas selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) to compete to be the launched into space on a satellite as the eleventh Earth Explorer mission.

Climate science AI builds genuine understanding of climate system
Artificial intelligence programmes used widely in climate science build an actual understanding of the climate system, meaning we can trust machine learning and further its applications in climate science, according to a new study. New research published in the journal Chaos and co-authored by Manuel Santos Gutiérrez and Valerio Lucarini showed using computer simulations that a machine learning programme called Empirical Model Reduction (EMR) in fact knows what it is doing.

Scientists use weather forecasts to direct conservation of elephants
Wildlife conservationists will use detailed weather forecasts to predict when, where and how elephants could come under threat, as part of a new project led by the University of Reading. Using accurate weather and climate data, Dr Vicky Boult will aim to predict the threats facing African elephants, such as food shortages or threats from poaching, weeks or months in advance – allowing conservation groups to take action to save them.

Wind turbines at sunset in a hilly landscape

Partnering for the planet

Working with you to champion environmental sustainability through world-leading research and practical action.
How the new ECMWF headquarters is expected to look on the University of Reading campus

New home for ECMWF campus

A new state-of-the-art headquarters for the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) on the University's Whiteknights campus will create the largest cluster of weather and climate scientists in the world. 

news and events

Read the latest news and blogs from our Environment research theme and find out about upcoming research events at the University of Reading:

Latest Environment theme blog posts

Upcoming Environment research events

All University of Reading events

Planetary health alliance logo

Engagement and impact

Find out how our researchers engage and collaborate with public and professional audiences to bring about positive change locally, nationally and internationally.
Dried out riverbed

Collaboration for climate-resilient societies

A new collaboration with Microsoft is set to help scientists at the University of Reading’s Walker Institute develop more solutions to climate threats worldwide.
The sun rises over the Earth

Awards and prizes

International prize for science awarded to Sir Brian Hoskins
One of Britain’s leading climate scientists, Professor Sir Brian Hoskins, Emeritus Professor of Meteorology at the University of Reading, and Chair of the Grantham Institute at Imperial College London, has been honoured with the prestigious international prize for science, the Japan Prize. 

Reading wins inaugural THE environmental leadership award
The University’s world-class research in climate change and its impacts, and our leadership driving action through education and partnership, won the Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership award at the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards 2023.

Maths professor appointed to two prestigious national roles
Professor Paul Glaister CBE has been named President of the Mathematical Association, and as Chair of the Royal Society’s A levels Expert Panel for their Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education.

Meteorology awards for University weather expert quartet
Professor Ed Hawkins, Dr Roger Brugge, Professor David Brayshaw and Professor Bryan Lawrence have received Royal Meteorological Society (RMetS) awards for their significant contributions to meteorology.

University of Reading wins Queen’s Anniversary Prize
The University of Reading's world-leading research, teaching, stewardship and outreach work on climate change has been honoured with a Queen's Anniversary Prize.

Tutor and student studying solar pannel

Working Together

We collaborate with the very best researchers and users of research, nationally and internationally. These partnerships better enable us to play a critical role in tackling environmental challenges and provide solutions that are both adoptable and adopted.

We work closely with organisations such as:

Natural Environment Research Council centres, including hosting parts of the National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS)and the National Centre for Earth Observation (NCEO)

UK Meteorological Office – including through the Met Office Academic Partnership

European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF)

Loddon Catchment Partnership

UK Government Departments, BEIS, Defra, Cabinet Office, DfID and their agencies

Businesses such as Syngenta, Bayer, National Grid

International space agencies

The skeleton of a male Indian elephant on display in the Cole Museum

University Institutes, Centres, Clusters and facilities

We have several centres of research and facilities focusing on specific environmental issues, including:

Agrimetrics – The world's first Big Data Centre of Excellence for the whole agri-food industry.

Centre for Mathematics of Planet Earth exploring the intersection between mathematics, theoretical physics and earth sciences. 

Chemical Analysis Facility – open-access analytical instrumentation, and advice on access to external facilities, such as beamlines.

Cole Museum of Zoology – University museum and collections relating to zoology and natural history.

Data Assimilation Research Centre – theory and applications in all areas of the geosciences.

Institute for Environmental Analytics – translating environmental research into commercially-relevant solutions.

Land Surface Processes cluster – uses computer simulations and observations to study interactions between the land and atmosphere.

Technologies for Sustainable Built Environments (TSBE) – bringing together academic and industry partners for applied research in built environment and energy.

Soil Research Centre – tackling the decline in soil health and quality.

Walker Institute – an interdisciplinary research institute supporting the development of climate-resilient societies.

Water@Reading  – providing flood, drought and water-quality monitoring, forecasting and early-warning systems, in the UK and abroad

Postgraduate students sitting on the grass

Postgraduate Research & Fellowship Opportunities

Want to join some of the world's leading environmental researchers, with a fully-funded PhD research studentship at the University of Reading?

For information on postgraduate research opportunities within the Environment Theme, please visit our research division pages or the Graduate School's website.

Scenario Doctoral Training Programme

Mathematics of Planet Earth Centre for Doctoral Training

Quantitative and Modelling Skills in Ecology and Evolution (QMEE)

Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Environmental and Physical Sciences

Diagram of turbulence

Turbulence research leads to safer, greener flights

Air passengers are enjoying smoother, safer flights thanks to a turbulence forecasting algorithm that was co-developed at Reading.
Three rescue workers wade through floodwater with a raft of clean water bottles

Improving flood prediction for effective aid delivery

Researchers from the University of Reading have played a major role in improving flood forecasting, so that humanitarian aid can be delivered before the flood, before the disaster strikes.
Cityscape with an image of a thermometer superimposed on it

Improving urban weather forecasting

Researchers at the University of Reading have developed a new model for urban temperature forecasting that predicts how heat is captured and lost across the varying urban landscape.
A conservationist collecting sample in the field

Bringing African vultures back from the brink

African vultures are rapidly becoming the world’s most threatened group of birds. Reading researchers have revealed the true scale of the problem and delivered solutions, spurring conservation action to save them from extinction.

Contact us

Research Dean, Environment (job-share)

Professor Rowan Sutton

Email: r.sutton@reading.ac.uk

Professor Tom Oliver

Email: t.oliver@reading.ac.uk

Working with your organisation

Your organisation can benefit from our work through the University's innovation front door.

Email: frontdoor@reading.ac.uk

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