Harley Nicholls

Environmental Monitoring, Research and Management MSc

I work for the Environment Agency (EA) as an Environment Planning Officer within the Kent, South London & East Sussex (KSLES) Integrated Environment Planning (IEP) Team. My role largely involves the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP), specifically working with Thames Water on their surface Water Framework Directive (WFD) and storm overflow programmes across multiple Price Review Cycles.

I also review and comment on Local Plans (future development proposals) within the KSLES area, ensuring all aspects relating to surface water quality have been appropriately considered, to ensure waterbodies are protected. Furthermore, I undertake modelling to determine water quality permit limits for new Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTWs) or WWTW growth schemes. This modelling ensures that permit limits can be defined that do not allow a waterbody’s overall WFD status to deteriorate.

Additionally, I am also the Natural Flood Management (NFM) IEP lead, helping to ensure that invested NFM projects deliver the best possible environmental outcomes.

Completing a BSc in Geography and an MSc in Environmental Monitoring, Research and Management at Loughborough helped me to both secure my role at the EA and thrive in it. Applying for a role within the area of surface water quality, the EA was highly impressed by the range of relevant modules offered by the Master’s, including Tools for River Research and Management, Lake Research and Management, and GIS for Environmental Management.

Overall, the highlight of the MSc programme was my dissertation, investigating how natural and synthetic microfibres flow within a water column. This demonstrated to the EA my passion for water quality and sparked an interesting discussion in my interview.

If you are looking to pursue a career in the environmental sector, including working for the EA or environmental consultancies, I would recommend studying the Environmental Monitoring, Research and Management Master’s at Loughborough, due to the range of highly relevant modules as well as the excellent teaching and support provided by the staff.