Dissertation on river flow wins national prize
Geography graduate Rachel Shepherd’s research on future river flow has been praised by the British Hydrological Society (BHS). Her dissertation on the effects of climate change on the upper River Swale in North Yorkshire was judged one of the best in the country. Using computer models she generated scenarios of future rainfall in the river catchment and then modelled the resulting river flow.
Rachel received her runner-up prize at the BHS national meeting in Birmingham and listened to some of the talks.
‘I'm very happy and honoured that my work has been considered worthy of a prize from such a prestigious society,” she says. “It really makes all the hours spent on my dissertation worthwhile.’
Steve Darby, Professor of Physical Geography, adds: “I was delighted to hear that Rachel's outstanding dissertation has received this recognition. Involving significant innovation to address a problem of societal relevance, her work is very much reflective of Southampton's ethos of research-led teaching.”
Rachel, from North London, is now aiming for a career in flood management as an environmental consultant.