The researchers on the deck of the research vessel, Vector

Loughborough University experts recognised by the NERC Impact Awards

The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) has announced the winners of its Impact Awards 2023 – and two Loughborough University experts are among the finalists and commended researchers.

Inside the control room of the Vector, looking over the shoulder of a researcher towards a bank of video screens

The Awards distinguish “UK science at the heart of the responsible management of our planet” – and celebrate NERC-funded researchers whose work has had a significant, often global, impact on society or the economy.

The Protecting subsea global telecommunications networks project, led by Dr Mike Clare (Leader of Marine Geosystems at the National Oceanography Centre), was runner-up in the Economic and Societal Impact category.

Loughborough’s Dan Parsons (Professor in Geosciences, and Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation) is part of the team.

Subsea cables carry 99% of the world’s data traffic – including the internet, defence information, financial transactions and other services that underpin our daily lives.

The project team are transforming how this vulnerable network of subsea fibre optic data cables is protected. Their findings are already used in national risk assessments, helping to keep entire countries connected – and saving millions of pounds.

Their research has taken them to the Congo Canyon – one of the world’s biggest submarine canyons off the west coast of Africa. Here, they investigated an avalanche that broke three of the four fibre optic internet cables that connect Europe and Africa – revising the cables’ routes and better quantifying the risks of future breaks.

Another researcher commended by the Award Judging Panel is Dapeng Yu (Professor of River Dynamics).

He has developed the world’s first real-time street-level surface-water flood nowcasting technology. Via the Cabinet Office’s ResilienceDirect platform and global spin-out Previsico, he and his team have provided flood nowcasting to Government, the insurance sector, humanitarian organisations and first responders.

Their work marks a step-change in surface-water flood forecasting capacity and improved resilience to surface-water flooding – protecting lives and property worldwide.

Commenting on Loughborough’s success, Professor Parsons said: “Working as part of Mike Clare’s team has been a privilege, and I’m delighted that our research has been recognised in this way.

“It is also very pleasing to see Dapeng Yu and his team’s Commendation. Their work significantly improves our surface-water flood forecasting capacity – helping to predict near future flood events to enhance resilience.

“This Award programme recognises the positive real-world impacts achieved by the UK’s environmental science community. Our combined efforts contribute to an urgent agenda – tackling the challenges posed as we struggle to address the impacts of the climate emergency and responsibly manage our changing planet.”

The winners of this year’s NERC Impact Awards were announced on 29 November, during a ceremony at the Natural History Museum.

Read NERC’s full press release about this year’s Award finalists and commended researchers.

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