Staff profile

Overview

Current 

PhD in Natural Flood Management, Durham University 

Past Experience

Senior Environmental Consultant, Waterco 

MSc Distinction in Water Science, Policy & Management, University of Oxford

BSc (Hons) First Class in Geography, Durham University 

Profile

After graduating with a First-Class degree in Geography from Durham University, I pursued and was awarded an MSc with Distinction from the University of Oxford in Water Science, Policy & Management. My MSc studies focused on hydrological modelling, water quality evaluation, and advanced qualitative and quantitative research methods, equipping me with the interdisciplinary skills needed to address complex water management challenges.

Following my academic journey, I gained practical experience at Arup, where I collaborated with geotechnicians and civil engineers to produce Green and Blue Infrastructure reports for Copeland Borough Council. I then worked at Waterco, where I rose to the role of Senior Environmental Consultant. At Waterco, I initially specialized in flood risk and drainage before shifting my focus to Natural Flood Management (NFM). My work involved authoring NFM reports for local authorities, which were instrumental in securing over £1 million in funding from the Welsh Government. I subsequently managed NFM projects totalling £1.8 million, overseeing these initiatives from concept through to construction, applying nature-based solutions to mitigate flood risks.

I am currently pursuing a PhD in Natural Flood Management at Durham University, where my research centres on optimizing leaky dam performance and developing innovative hydrological monitoring approaches. My work combines fieldwork, numerical analysis, and modelling, with a broader interest in the application of NFM interventions beyond pilot sites, including policy considerations, contracting, maintenance, and liability.

Beyond my research, I have been actively involved in academic governance. I served as President of Ustinov College’s Graduate Common Room (GCR) for 2023-2024, leading significant improvements for the college and its 1,200 postgraduate students. As a trustee of the charity, I ensured compliance with charitable obligations by submitting multiple sets of accounts to the Charity Commission and recruited a full trustee board with essential accounting, legal and charitable expertise to ensure the continued success of the charity in the future.

Up to July 2025, I was a Trustee and the Postgraduate Representative on Durham University's Council. As part of the University Council, I contributed to setting the strategic direction of the University, ensuring the institution's long-term vision and working to make the Postgraduate experience in Durham the best it could be.Additionally, I also sat on the University Senate up to July 2025. As a member of Durham University’s Senate, the highest academic body, I contributed to the governance, promotion, and regulation of the University's academic work. My responsibilities included providing strategic oversight of the University's teaching and research activities, ensuring these areas meet the highest standards of academic excellence. I continue to advocate for postgraduate interests, particularly in enhancing the research environment and experience whenever I can in the university. In addition to those two roles, I was editor of the Ustinovian (Magazine) for the 60th Anniversary celebrations for Ustinov College. From July 2025, I am now solely focussed on producing papers for my forthcoming PhD submission in 2026.

Current Research

My project aims to optimise the performance of natural flood management (NFM) interventions, specifically leaky dams, and test a novel approach for assessing hydrological conditions in small catchments suited for NFM. This will be achieved by investigating the following research questions:

1. How do we currently monitor river flow in small flashy catchments most commonly used for NFM?
2. How do new methods compare to traditional hydrological monitoring approaches for small flashy watercourses in terms of accuracy and cost-effectiveness?
3. How leaky should a leaky dam be? How do we optimize the spacing of leaky dams to maximise flood mitigation benefit?
4. How do NFM interventions, in combination, impact downstream flooding? Can better catchment data improve the prediction of downstream flooding by estimating the relative contributions of tributaries and their timing?

Awards

· European Geosciences Union Roland-Schlich Award - May 2025

· Global Citizenship Scholarship (£4,000 Award) - September 2024

· Royal Geographical Society (£1,000 Award) - Postgraduate Research Award – March 2024

· Norman Richardson Fund (£1,500 Award) for Postgraduate Research – March 2024

· Outstanding Contribution by an Individual to College Life (PhD Student) – Ustinov College – June 2023

· British Hydrological Society – Peter Wolf Symposium – First Prize - Poster Presentation – June 2023

· IAPETUS - Annual Conference 2023 – Best Poster Presentation – May 2023

Outreach and Volunteering 

Council Trustee and Postgraduate Representative – Durham University Council (July 2024-July 2025)

As part of the University Council, I contributed to setting the strategic direction of the University, ensuring the institution's long-term vision and goals were effectively planned and executed. My role included reviewing the University's operations to maintain and enhance its efficiency, as well as advancing its interests by fostering an environment that encourages learning and research. I sat on council primarily to ensure that postgraduate research experience is maintained and improved in the University's mission, ensuring its continued excellence and reputation in the higher education.

Senate Member and Postgraduate Representative – Durham University Senate (July 2024-July 2025)

As a member of Durham University’s Senate, the highest academic body, I contributed to the governance, promotion, and regulation of the University's academic work. My responsibilities included providing strategic oversight of the University's teaching and research activities, ensuring these areas meet the highest standards of academic excellence. Additionally, I advocated for postgraduate interests, particularly in enhancing the research environment and experience. The Senate serves as a key forum for academic debate, decision-making on crucial academic matters, and facilitating information exchange between academic and administrative bodies. Through my role, I worked to ensure that the University’s academic mission is continuously advanced, aligned with its long-term objectives, and reflective of its reputation in higher education.

President and Trustee – Ustinov College, Durham University (July 2023-July 2024)

As President of the Graduate Common Room (GCR), I was the student representative of over 1200 postgraduate students and led significant improvements in the college. I ensured compliance with charitable obligations by submitting multiple sets of accounts to the Charity Commission and recruited a full trustee board with essential accounting, legal and charitable expertise to ensure the continued success of the charity in the future. I rebuilt a strong collaborative relationship with the college and other common rooms, revamped and project managed over £20k of improvements to the college bar, and enhanced the college's visibility and success. Under my leadership, I was responsible for leading a team of 20 volunteers, and delivering 100s of events, amongst which I hosted the first ever university formal in the Cathedral. My tenure culminated in organizing Ustinov Day, a day of celebration with 100s of attendees.

Vice-President and Trustee – Ustinov College, Durham University (September 2022-September 2023)

Co-organiser of the ‘Why do volcanoes erupt’ exhibit at the Schools’ Science Festival, Durham University.

Global Week Durham Volunteering Scheme Lead for SPARK 2024 ‘Ustinov Students Providing Access to Research and Knowledge’ presenting to over 300 primary school students between the ages of 7-11, Durham University.

Additional Roles

Editor of the Ustinovian Magazine, Durham University (September 2024 – July 2025)

As the editor, I guided the editorial team in the design, editing, and production of the 60th Anniversary Ustinovian magazine to celebrate this signficiant milestone for the college. At its heart I undertook the role to champion that every student should feel supported and welcome in the college. 

Academic Papers

Jones et al., (2025) A systematic review of monitoring approaches to assess hydrological conditions in small catchments with natural flood management.

Abstract: Natural Flood Management (NFM) has gained prominence as a sustainable approach to flood risk reduction, particularly in small catchments where traditional grey infrastructure is less viable. However, understanding the effectiveness of NFM is closely tied to the quantity and quality of hydrological monitoring. In small catchments, this monitoring remains inconsistent, whereas high‐quality, high‐frequency networks maximise the likelihood of detecting NFM effects. This is the first systematic review to analyse current approaches to streamflow and rainfall monitoring used to assess NFM performance in small catchments (defined as < 25 km2), consolidating data from 33 studies (65 catchments) into a practitioner‐oriented decision matrix that links site conditions, cost and certainty to method selection. The reviewed dataset consolidates example NFM interventions and associated monitoring approaches, highlighting the benefits and limitations of each method in a single, accessible resource. The review also highlights gaps, including limited baseline data, short monitoring durations, and infrequent reporting of costs and methods. A decision matrix is presented to support practitioners in selecting streamflow monitoring methods based on site conditions and resources for small catchments. Recommendations to improve standardisation, reporting, and the adoption of low‐cost, scalable techniques, including community‐led and non‐contact approaches (remote sensing and drone imagery) are also given.

Jones et al., (in prep) A low-cost, multi-sensor system to monitor small flashy watercourses.

Abstract: This paper presents an innovative approach to monitoring small flashy watercourses, crucial for the effective implementation of NFM strategies. Traditional monitoring techniques are often impractical and costly for the high-resolution data required. This study explores a low-cost, multi-sensor system designed to enhance data collection and support NFM. The proposed methodology employs a salt dilution technique and electrical conductivity (EC) measurements to assess hydrological conditions in small catchments. This method provides an affordable, accurate, and non-intrusive solution to traditional monitoring challenges. The paper details the design and testing of the setup, using solenoid valves and bilge pumps for remote salt solution injection and data collection. The results highlight the potential for high-resolution data, essential for small watercourse modelling and analysis.

Jones et al., (in prep) How ‘leaky’ should a leaky dam be? Using a white water rafting course to test the in-channel flood storage and delay potential of large leaky wooden dams.

Abstract: Leaky dams, particularly those made from large woody material, are increasingly used as NFM interventions. However, design guidance remains rudimentary, and there is limited systematic testing with high-quality data. This study, conducted at the Tees Barrage International White Water Centre, uses a 300m white water rafting course to simulate flow events and assess the performance of engineered and natural leaky dams. Two dam designs—engineered and natural—were tested, with varying leakiness controlled by timber spacing. Results show that engineered dams provided superior flood peak delay and water storage compared to natural designs, highlighting opportunities to optimize dam design for flood mitigation. The controlled artificial channel provides precise data on leaky dam performance, advocating for more design-oriented testing.

Jones et al., (in prep) Using Space-Time Image Velocimetry to assess flow characteristics through full-scale leaky dams in high flow conditions

Abstract: Leaky dams are widely implemented as Natural Flood Management (NFM) measures, yet their hydraulic performance under high-flow conditions remains poorly quantified, partly due to monitoring constraints in small, flashy catchments. This study presents the first application of Space–Time Image Velocimetry (STIV) to full-scale leaky dams, using a controlled white-water rafting course (Tees Barrage International White Water Centre, UK) as an intermediary between laboratory and natural river settings. Three channel-spanning dams were constructed in series using (i) natural pine logs and (ii) engineered construction timbers, each tested under multiple “leakiness” configurations (10–100 mm spacing), for steady-state discharges, and dynamic double-peak events, alongside a no-dam control. Drone-based video (4K, 29.97 fps) was processed with Hydro-STIV to derive spatially distributed surface velocities at sub-minute resolution. A high-resolution digital surface model supported velocity–area discharge estimation via a Maximum Entropy Method, while 3D point-cloud analysis provided a quantitative leakiness ratio for each configuration. These findings demonstrate that STIV offers a robust, non-contact approach for monitoring leaky dams and highlight leakiness as a first-order design parameter for optimising NFM interventions to attenuate high flows.

• Climate change
• Cost-effectiveness of NFM interventions; including future maintenance, liability and financing
• Flood forecasting and catchment modelling
• Hydrology
• Internal catchment dynamics: land management impacts on water quantity and quality
• Natural Flood Management, Natural Infrastructure and Nature Based Solutions for flood management
• Research frontier: policies including the Environment Land Management scheme

• 2024: Best Presentation – Earth Science Conference - Durham University – June 2023:
• 2024: Royal Geographical Society (£1,000 Award) - Postgraduate Research Award:
• 2024: Norman Richardson Fund (£1,500 Award) for Postgraduate Research :
• 2023: IAPETUS - Annual Conference 2023 – Best Poster Presentation – May 2023:
• 2023: Outstanding Contribution by an Individual to College Life (PhD Student) – Ustinov College – June 2023:
• 2023: British Hydrological Society – Peter Wolf Symposium – First Prize - Poster Presentation – June 2023:

Journal Article

• A Systematic Review of Monitoring Approaches to Assess Hydrological Conditions in Small Catchments With Natural Flood Management
  
  Jones, A. D., Knapp, J. L. A., Reaney, S. M., & Pattison, I. (2025). A Systematic Review of Monitoring Approaches to Assess Hydrological Conditions in Small Catchments With Natural Flood Management. Journal of Flood Risk Management, 18(4), Article e70152. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfr3.70152