What Faculty do you work in?
I’m based in the Department of Civil Engineering within the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

What is your main area of research?
My main research area lies within coastal engineering and focuses on applying computational modelling techniques to various contexts within the coastal environment.

Why is your research important?
A large proportion of people and assets sit within the coastal zone. The research I undertake here at Swansea University helps in understanding the processes within those areas, the risk associated with extreme weather events, the changes to those in future due to climate change, and the value and resilience of the natural environment.

What SDG is your research most closely aligned with?
Much of my work has centered around extreme events and flooding, predominantly aligning with the theme of resilience within SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities. Due to the nature of my research, there are also close links to SDGs 9 and 14.

What do you hope to accomplish with your research?
By incorporating the latest available insights and modelling approaches, I hope to help promote and support more informed coastal management decision making. Pushing a more holistic view of how different elements within the coastal environment link together, and the benefits they provide in the short and longer term.

Is there a cross-disciplinary element to your research?  If so, who else at the University is involved?
Yes, as well as working closely with Professor Harshinie Karunarathna, Professor Dominic Reeve, and Dr Yunqing Xuan within Civil Engineering, my research has frequently crossed the boundaries with other disciplines. In exploring nature based solutions for coastal defence and I’ve worked with Dr John Griffin and Dr Tom Fairchild in Biosciences, who possess a wealth of knowledge surrounding salt marshes habitats. I’ve also used my background in coastal modelling to support investigating potential seagrass restoration sites around Wales with Professor James Bull, Dr Richard Unsworth, and Dr Chiara Bertelli in Biosciences.

Are there any external collaborators involved?
Within my research I work with collaborators from institutions around the UK and internationally. Additionally, working with bodies such as Natural Resources Wales, Environment Agency, and Office for National Statistics, it has been possible to take the outcomes of our research and inform practice and policy.

What is next for your research?
To continue building upon our previous studies and success, and further develop understanding of the complex and dynamic environment within the coastal environment. Taking what we have developed, and using it to provide tools, and practical guidance. This will assist those responsible for managing, protecting, and restoring our coastlines in making the difficult decisions that lie ahead with the pressures of climate change.


Dr William Bennett