Connecting research and practice

At the end of June and beginning July, I attended CIWEM Flood Coast 2021 conference, which was a virtual event hosted entirely online. In many ways, this had structure organisation physical including plenary parallel sessions, conference exhibition networking opportunities between pairs delegates like coffee break encounters at real event. However, did still miss face-to-face interaction previous events that have attended. The good news is that, in 2022, will provide best both approaches, with an online expanding conference's reach alongside for those wishing to travel. first annual series attended, 15th 1980 when it called Conference River Engineers. It organised Cranfield by British government Ministry Agriculture Fisheries Food (MAFF); time, MAFF responsible policy grant funding river flood ’protection’ (as risk management then termed). Few if any consultants were invited participate focus on sharing knowledge engineers involved protection across country engaged applied research sponsored MAFF. impact climate change flows has been considered least 25 years; see example, Naden et al. (1996), economic impacts expenditure implications national set out Deakin (2001). Over years, responsibility organising changed, passing Environment Agency being acquired 2020 complements CIWEM's publication Journal Risk Management jointly Wiley fostering connection practice. year drew together wide range professions all aspects policy, regulation, planning, emergency response detailed modelling coming from consultancies, local government, charitable organisations academia. Although heavily upon UK case studies actions, some international examples presented, storm water Rotterdam coastal flooding Florida. believe themes approaches explored be common countries. published summary topics https://content.floodandcoast.com/fc2021event link YouTube videos 20 sessions. Important included challenge risk, need build resilient communities, nature-based solutions actions carbon accounting achieve net-zero management. During presentations discussions, struck there over my professional career recognition importance society more generally. For than understood basic processes lead global warming, scope complexity uncertainties making future projections scenarios. What feel missing me until recently intellectual grasp science breadth complexities practical action reduce promote resilience. Coast, discussion showed interconnectedness issues managing adapting effects ground rather just topic research. This issue explores facets subject including: novel observation technique extent, use storage augmentation resources arid area, learning historic floods, Whilst would commend 17 papers you reading, remainder editorial, wish concentrate three contribution Webber (2021) evaluates property resilience (PFR) measures manage pluvial combined tidal fluvial risks city Bristol (UK). Here word “resilience” connotation means preventing floodwater entering depths; contexts, such described as ‘resistance’. Through spatial analysis inundation, Weber conclude individually targeting PFR effective reducing compared broader application zones hazard, particularly dominated sources. Such approach requires understanding propagation urban area using high-resolution dynamics. other two relating consider different Karrasch system-level governance institutions through actions. They introduce rose (FRR) derived semi-structured interviews actors several countries Europe. motivation work social-ecological system disturbed occurring, restoring state prior disaster undesirable. Instead, imperative learn experience during transform less vulnerable leaving same before. FRR can strengthen stakeholder involvement support integration ecosystem services into decisions measures. paper Snel (2021), takes another view resilience, considers public individuals who take greater their own risks. extensive residents ages types found clear expectations perceptions how they think divided be. Residents appeared legal, accountable, moral responsibilities main (public authorities insurance companies) but desired does not always concur this. Thus ‘comprehending what understand desire accountability legal provides lessons precisely targeted communication, triggering adaptation, ultimately societal resilience’. preparing latest Impact Factors (IFs) released am pleased note IF score increased 26% 3.066 2019 3.884 2020. result caveat Clarivate, prepares scores, moved new calculation procedure. led temporary inflation IFs about 12% Journals, half increase our score. Nevertheless, thank colleagues Panel Editors reviewers authors contributing success past year.