Professor Roger Falconer

DSc(Eng), FREng, Acad.CAE, FLSW, FEurASc, CEng, CEnv, FICE, FCIWEM

Research

Research theme: Energy and environment

At Cardiff, Roger's research has continued in the development, refinement and application of computer models for predicting flow, water quality and sediment transport processes in coastal, estuarine and inland waters.  He has developed three widely used computational hydro-environmental models, namely FASTER, DIVAST and TRIVAST for predicting 1D, 2D and 3D hydrodynamic, pollutant and sediment transport processes in aquatic basins. He has also developed CONTANK for predicting disinfection processes in water supply tanks.  These models have been acquired by consulting companies and government organisations, for application to over 100 hydro-environmental impact assessment studies worldwide, and by over 60 academic institutions in 18 countries for research studies. More recently he has worked with CH2M in developing ISIS-2D, a computer model used for predicting two-dimensional flood water elevations and inundation extent across floodplains. His more recent research activities have extended to marine renewable energy devices and structures and global water security. In particular, he has undertaken extensive work on the hydro-environmental impact of a barrage across the Severn Estuary.

Contracts

Biography

Education and Qualifications

1994  DSc(Eng)  Computational Hydraulics and Environmental Modelling, University of London

1992  DEng  Numerical Modelling of Hydrodynamic, Water Quality and Sediment Transport Processes in Rivers, Estuaries and Coastal Basins, University of Birmingham

1976  PhD, DIC Mathematical Modelling of Jet-Forced Circulation in Reservoirs and Harbours, Imperial College, London

1974  MSCE in Hydraulic Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, USA

1973  BSc(Eng) in Civil Engineering, King's College, University of London

Career Overview

• 1997-date: Professor of Water Management to September 2018, Emeritus Professor of Water Engineering (since October 2018) - sponsored by Hyder (1997-00) and Halcrow and CH2M (2000-15), School of Engineering, Cardiff University; Founding Director, Hydro-environmental Research Centre HRC (1997-15) - Responsible for strategic planning, leading research projects and co-ordinating research activities of centre, typically including 30 research associates and research students; Leader, Institute of Environment and Sustainability (2003-12).
• 2011-15: President, International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research (IAHR)
• 1987-97: Professor of Water Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Bradford; Deputy (1987-93) and Head of Department (1993-97), and Director of Environmental Hydraulics Research Centre (1987-97)
• 1977-86: Lecturer in Hydraulics, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Birmingham.
• 1976-77: Assistant Engineer, Mott MacDonald, Consulting Engineers, Cambridge

Honours and awards

• Honorary Member of the International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research, 2017 (Awarded for " outstanding contriution in promoting the development of computational modelling in hydro-environmental engineering and research and for his devoted service to IAHR, including as president 2011-15")
• Royal Academy of Engineering Silver Medal, 1997 (Awarded for “Outstanding and demonstrated personal contributions to British engineering leading to market exploitation”)
• International Association for Hydraulic Research Ippen Award, 1991 (Awarded for `Outstanding contributions in area of computational flow modelling of coastal and estuarine waters and environmental problems`)
• Tianjin Municipal People’s Government (China) Hai He Award of Honour, 2007 (Awarded in “Support for Development of Tianjin Municipality”)
• Institution of Civil Engineers Robert Alfred Carr Prize, 2002 and 2006
• Institution of Civil Engineers Telford Premium, 1993
• Cardiff School of Engineering Teacher of the Year Awards (Large Class Teaching),2005-06, 2007-08 and 2014-15

Professional memberships

Main Academic and Learned Society Appointments

• Vice-President, International Association for Coastal Reservoir Research (2017-)
• Member, Editorial Board, Journal of Water (2017-)
• Member, Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, Search Committee (2015-17)
• Member, Inst. of Civil Engineers, State of the Nation Water Panel (2011-12)
• President, Inter. Assoc. Hydro-Environment Engin. & Research (2011-15)
• Chair, Research Excellence Framework, Civil Engineer. Sub-Panel (2010-14)
• Chair, IAHR Task Force on Contribution to Global Water Security (2010-15)
• External Examiner, University of Malayia, Malaysia (2009-12)
• Member, Royal Society Brian Mercer Awards Panel (2008-13)
• External Assessor, Promotions Com., Univ. of Malayia, Malaysia (2008-13)
• Member, Royal Academy of Engineering Eng. Policy Committee (2008-12)
• Chair, Marine Renewable Energy Task Group for Wales (2008-10)
• Member, Royal Academy of Engin. Pro-Active Nomination Com. (2008-09)
• Editorial Board Member, Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science (2007-12)
• Editorial Board Member, Journal of Hydro-environmental Research (2007-)
• British Council, Specialist Advisor Delphi–EAP Partnership (2006-12)
• External Examiner, Heriot Watt and Glasgow Universities (2006-10)
• External Examiner, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong (2005-08)
• Guest Professor, Dept. of Mechanics, Tianjin University, China (2005-)
• External Examiner, Open University, Milton Keynes (2003-08)
• Member, RAEng Committee for Research and Secondment (2003-07)
• Lead Assessor, RAEng Research in Civil Engineering (2002-05)
• Member, RAEng Engineering Committee (2002-03)
• Founding Editor, Journal of River Basin Management, IAHR (2002-)
• Founding Editor, Journal of Water Management, ICE Proceedings (2003-06)
• Editor, Water and Maritime Engineering, ICE Proceedings (2001-03)
• Elected Member, ICE Council (2000-04)
• Member, Royal Academy of Engineering, Membership Panel (2000-03)
• External Examiner, National University of Ireland, Galway (1999-02)
• Advisor, Association of Commonwealth Universities Fellowships (1998-03)
• Founding Editor, Journal of Hydroinformatics, IWA (1998-04)
• Elected Member, CIWEM Council (1997-03)
• External Examiner, University of Liverpool (1996-00)
• External Examiner, Queen`s University, Belfast (1995-99)
• Chair, ICE Yorkshire Association (1995-96)
• Member, EPSRC Peer Review College (1994-)
• Associate Editor, Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, ASCE (1994-01)
• External Examiner, University of Ulster (1992-96)
• Chair, CIWEM Tyne and Humber Branch (1991-92)
• Advisory Professor, Dept. of Env. Eng., Tongji Uni., Shanghai, China (1987-)

Main Advisory and Professional Appointments

• Director, Dragon River & Tidal Energy Ltd (2017-)
• Professional Consultant, Natural Energy Wyre, Wyre Tidal Gateway Project (2017-)
• Consultant, ITPEnergised for Hendry Review of Tidal Lagoons, UK Government (2016-17)
• Member, Trustee Board, Chartered Institution of Water & Environmental Management (2016-)
• Member, Regional Board & Expert Panel, Hafren Power (2012-14)
• Member, Mersey Tidal Power - Design Advisory Group (2010-11)
• Member, Global Water Security Pan, Report Govt. Chief Scientist (2009-10)
• Member, Govt. Expert Panel for Severn Tidal Power Studies (2008-10)
• Expert Witness, Public Inquiry on Preston Sewage Works, Southport (2007)
• Member, National Resources Wales Flood Risk Management Com. (2006-)
• Member, Grp. of Experts Singapore Land Reclamation Study (ITLOS) (2004)
• Expert Witness, Inter. Tribunal Law of Sea, Malaysia v. Singapore (2003-05)
• Consultant, Tianjin Municipal Government, China (1999-)
• Member, Environment Agency Estuaries Advisory Committee (1998-08)
• Advisor, Environment Agency Anglian Flow Forecast Model Sys. (1997-98)
• Advisor, US Navy (Environment), Hydro-ecology of Mugu Lagoon (1995-96)
• Expert Evaluator of Danish Hydraulic Institute, Danish Government (1995)
• Advisor, BP Chemicals Ltd., Humber Estuary EIA Study (1993-94)
• Advisor, Brit. Nuclear Fuels, Sellafield & Chapelcross EIA Studies (1993-94)
• UN Expert on Mission, Central Water & Power Research Station, India (1993)
• Advisor, Southern California Edison, Wetland Management Proj. (1992-93)
• Advisor, China Nat. Env. Protection Agency, Shanghai Sewer Proj. (1987-92)
• Expert Witness, Public Inquiry, Integrated Treatment Centre, Hull (1992)

Academic positions

• 2018 - date: Emeritus Professor of Water Engineering, School of Engineering, Cardiff University, UK
• 1997 - 2018: Professor of Water Management (Sponsored by Hyder - 1997 - 2000, and Halcrow/CH2M - 2000- 2015) and Founding Director of the Hydro-environmental Research Centre (1997 - 2015), School of Engineering, Cardiff University, UK
• 1987 - 1997: Professor of Water Engineering and Director of the Environmental Hydraulics Research Centre, Head of Department (1993 - 97), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Bradford, UK
• 1977 - 1986: Lecturer in Hydraulic Engineering, University of Birmingham, UK