About us

We’re a collaborative research and development programme between the Environment Agency, Defra, Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales.

Flooding and coastal erosion affects millions of people in England and Wales. Managing these risks is vital to create safer and resilient communities.

Our governance

The FCERM research and development programme is a collaborative partnership between:   

  • Environment Agency 

  • Defra 

  • Welsh Government 

  • Natural Resources Wales

The programme is governed by: 

  • a board who decide long term priorities and are accountable for the programme

  • a management team of Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales researchers who determine resource and funding for research activities within the programme

  • Theme Advisory Groups (TAGs) who represent the academic, industry, and government sectors we support. They provide expert advice on practitioner issues, scientific solutions and research opportunities

Our priorities

We decide our strategic research priorities around the policies and strategies for flood and coastal erosion risk management in England and Wales:  

We use our governance to identify areas of research interest. We use these to concentrate our effort where research is needed most, to determine the research activity we do and to engage with the research community, industry partners and government.

We want to connect people who have the operational problems with researchers who can help find solutions.   

What we do

The FCERM research and development programme: 

  • works with FCERM stakeholders to understand their needs and ensure research has a pathway to impact 

  • works with research funders, research institutes and leading academics to explore our greatest challenges

  • carries out research and brings together evidence using our own expertise or by commissioning others 

  • translates research into practical advice for risk management authorities in England and Wales 

  • communicates our research through our website, conference papers seminars, webinars and scientific journals 

Research outputs are published online by:   

How our research is used

Our research provides the evidence to support policy and practice in the partner organisations and flood and coastal risk management authorities.

We make sure that research commissioned by our programme and others meets policy needs, and practical needs by translating research into guidance and tools. We do not make decisions for the organisations we work with.

Our research is used to:

  • understand and assess coastal and flood risks now and in the future

  • manage flood and coastal erosion risk management assets in an efficient and sustainable way

  • prepare for and manage flood events effectively

  • increase resilience to flooding and coastal erosion

  • meet policy and practical needs

 This means that research is created and used to understand and manage flooding and coastal risks effectively in England and Wales. 

Find out how you can work with us

Corporate information

Jobs and contracts

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