Communication within the UK flood hydrology community: bridging the gaps between science and practice

Flood hydrology sits at the interface of science, public protection, infrastructure planning, and regulation. It is a broad and interdisciplinary field; in a recent UK survey of users of hydrology only 45 % self-identified as a hydrologist. To ensure society is prepared for increasing hydrological risks, effective communication within this diverse community is essential. Without clear pathways for translation pathway between policy priorities, emerging research and operational needs, critical planning and policy decisions risk being made on outdated assumptions. However, operational decisions are not always able to draw upon the latest research into process understanding or modelling approaches due to multiple barriers. These barriers include uneven access to data and tools, capacity constraints, differences in incentives across sectors and the limited time for relationship building and knowledge translation across different expertise. 

Here, we present insights from around 60 participants at a “science into practice” workshop hosted at the British Hydrological Society Symposium (University of Oxford, September 2024). The workshop was designed as a sector-spanning exercise between researchers, consultants, regulators, and practioners working on flood hydrology across the UK. Across sectors, participants converged on six priority themes: (1) working together, (2) funding and responsibilities, (3) skills and training, (4) data, (5) methods, and (6) accreditation and usability. We reflect on how these themes provided insights into the challenges and opportunities for science communication, knowledge translation and collaboration, and why such activities are often undervalued despite their critical role for improving flood-risk decisions. We conclude with practical recommendations for improving “science into practice” pathways in flood hydrology with more inclusive cross-sector communication aligned with the goals of the co-developed 25-year UK Flood Hydrology Roadmap. These lessons learned are transferable to other areas of environmental risk where effective communication and collaboration are crucial for delivering societal and environmental benefits.