Press Releases
New University Chair targets improved weather forecasts
Release Date : 13 August 2010
The University of Reading is delighted to announce that Professor Stephen Belcher has been appointed as a new Chair in Weather Systems, co-sponsored by the UK Met Office.
Professor Belcher, formally Head of the University's School of Maths and Meteorology, will play a key role in fostering collaborative research between the Met Office and the University. This will ensure Reading's cutting-edge weather research is applied effectively, helping to improve operational weather forecasts.
Strong links already exist between the University's Department of Meteorology and the Met Office, and Professor Belcher's position will further enhance what is an already hugely successful partnership.
The Joint Met Office Chair in Weather Systems has been established to lead the new ‘Reading Weather Initiative', which aims to integrate and enhance the University's world-class research into the physics, dynamics and forecasting of high-impact weather.
Importantly, the new role will ensure that the most is being made of the cutting-edge research within the Department, such as understanding the processes that cause very heavy rainfall and the structure of mid-latitude storms that can bring high winds.
Professor Belcher said: "I am delighted to be offered this position which gives me the opportunity to bring together research within the Met Office and the Department of Meteorology, and make a real difference to the forecasting of severe weather."
Professor Julia Slingo, Chief Scientist of the Met Office said: "Scientific collaborations are hugely important for increasing our knowledge. By working together, the Met Office and academia is able to accelerate research programmes. We already have strong links with the University of Reading of course and I would like to congratulate Stephen and look forward to our continued partnership."
Professor Gordon Marshall, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, added: "Stephen's appointment to the Joint Meteorological Office Chair in Weather Systems is extremely well-deserved. His research into urban meteorology, convective storms and cyclonic weather systems make him ideally suited to this challenging new role.
"The expertise and quality of research within our Department of Meteorology means Reading is playing a crucial role in our understanding of weather events, as well as leading the way in tackling the issues surrounding climate change.
Professor Belcher took up the post on 1st August 2010 when he stepped down as Head of the University's School of Maths and Meteorology.
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For all University of Reading media enquiries please contact James Barr, Press Officer tel 0118 378 7115 or email j.w.barr@reading.ac.uk
The University of Reading is rated as one of the top 200 universities in the world (THE-QS World Rankings 2009).
The University of Reading is one of the UK's top research-intensive universities. The University is ranked in the top 20 UK higher education institutions in securing research council grants worth nearly £10 million from EPSRC, ESRC, MRC, NERC, AHRC and BBSRC. In the RAE 2008, over 87% of the university's research was deemed to be of international standing. Areas of particular research strength recognised include meteorology and climate change, typography and graphic design, archaeology, philosophy, food biosciences, construction management, real estate and planning, as well as law.
Standards of teaching are excellent - the University scored highly in the National Student Survey 2009. 87% of Reading students responding to the survey stated they were satisfied with the quality of their course.
The University is estimated to contribute £600 million to the local economy annually.
University of Reading is a member of the 1994 Group of 19 leading research-intensive universities. The Group was established in 1994 to promote excellence in university research and teaching. Each member undertakes diverse and high-quality research, while ensuring excellent levels of teaching and student experience. www.1994group.ac.uk
More information at www.reading.ac.uk
The Department of Meteorology is internationally renowned for its excellent teaching and research in atmospheric, oceanic and climate science. Established in 1965, it is the only UK university which offers a full range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in meteorology.
In 2005 Meteorology at Reading was awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education.
In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, 75% of our research was graded as world-leading or internationally excellent. The weighted score places it third in the country in the "Earth Systems and Environmental Science" category, and makes it the highest-graded department focusing on the fundamental science of weather and climate.
The Met Office is the UK's National Weather Service, providing 24x7 world-renowned scientific excellence in weather, climate and environmental forecasts and severe weather warnings for the protection of life and property. The Met Office Hadley Centre is the UK's foremost centre for climate change research and has been named as the world's leading geosciences research centre by The Times Higher Educational Supplement.