John Rees Email & Phone Number

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Nottingham, United Kingdom

I am responsible for the Directorate, which primarily develops research and innovation to support characterization of the spatial and temporal distribution of hazardous phenomena arising from earth, atmospheric and space processes, but also contributes to other areas of geoscience, particularly the evaluation of natural resources and environmental impacts in relation to energy exploitation. The Directorate has about 50 staff and manages the observatories and facilities that support much of its… Show more I am responsible for the Directorate, which primarily develops research and innovation to support characterization of the spatial and temporal distribution of hazardous phenomena arising from earth, atmospheric and space processes, but also contributes to other areas of geoscience, particularly the evaluation of natural resources and environmental impacts in relation to energy exploitation. The Directorate has about 50 staff and manages the observatories and facilities that support much of its science (including the national seismic and geomagnetic observatories and associated networks), as well as observatories for research in allied fields both inside and outside BGS. EHO science and observatories also contribute to other areas of geoscience, particularly the evaluation of resources and impacts in relation to energy exploitation.I am also responsible for the development of R&I on resilience to environmental risks in the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). In this role I develop multi-partner initiatives through identification of shared agendas, and collaborative models. I am responsible for the development of co-funded R&I instruments between NERC and other partners - including intergovernmental organisations, the European Union (EU) Government departments, agencies, industry, business sectors and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) - for which I act as the primary NERC point of contact for risk and resilience R&I. For three years I championed the Risk Theme across the UK Research Councils (RCUK), promoting the development of transdisciplinary R&I and facilitation of external partnerships related to risk R&I. In this role I accepted an invitation from the International Council of Science (ICSU), and led the Major Group for Science and Technology in development of the UN Sendai Framework. Show less

Swindon, United Kingdom

Responsible for facilitating a world-class Natural Hazards science portfolio, the promotion of strategic partnership and communication between NERC and stakeholders - Government Departments & agencies, other research councils & component institutes, industry, as well as universities & scientific societies - in relation to integrated risk assessment, scientific advice and uncertainty in forecasting for storms, floods, droughts, heat-waves, wildfires, coastal erosion, landslides, subsidence… Show more Responsible for facilitating a world-class Natural Hazards science portfolio, the promotion of strategic partnership and communication between NERC and stakeholders - Government Departments & agencies, other research councils & component institutes, industry, as well as universities & scientific societies - in relation to integrated risk assessment, scientific advice and uncertainty in forecasting for storms, floods, droughts, heat-waves, wildfires, coastal erosion, landslides, subsidence, volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis and space-weather. I was the originator and author of Research Programmes on: Storm risk mitigation; Changing water cycle; Quantifying uncertainty; Arctic research; Next generation weather and climate prediction; Probability, uncertainty and risk in the environment; Coastal sediment systems; Increasing resilience to natural hazards in earthquake-prone and volcanic regions; UK Droughts; and Flooding from intense rainfall. I led the first UK Flooding & Coastal Erosion Risk Management Research Strategy and currently co-leading the development of the first UK Space Weather Strategy. I founded - and still chair, the Disaster Research Group (DRG) , hosted by the UK Collaborative for Development Science (UKCDS) . The DRG brings together national funders interested in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) collaboration as well as national representatives of international DRR fora: the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR); Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR) and the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC). During this period, I was also Head of the Science in Society theme at the British Geological Survey. Show less

Keyworth, Nottingham

Developed and implemented corporate policy, and coordinated science, in the BGS (~£25M Programme, 800 staff, working across 6 sites).Advised on: the alignment of BGS policy to UK and European legislative drivers; shifts in the prevailing international science and business environment; organisational governance, business models and diversification of funding streams. Managed the corporate planning & audit cycle, co-ordinated policy advice from BGS to HM Government and managed the BGS… Show more Developed and implemented corporate policy, and coordinated science, in the BGS (~£25M Programme, 800 staff, working across 6 sites).Advised on: the alignment of BGS policy to UK and European legislative drivers; shifts in the prevailing international science and business environment; organisational governance, business models and diversification of funding streams. Managed the corporate planning & audit cycle, co-ordinated policy advice from BGS to HM Government and managed the BGS Press Office. Responsible for developing Climate Change and Energy as key cross-cutting themes within the BGS Programme. Organiser of UK and international (US, China, Trinidad, Germany) conferences.Representative on: Flood Risk Management Research Consortium - Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and Engineering and Physical Research Council (EPSRC); Quantifying the Earth System (NERC); US Energy Programme, (US Department of Defense); Science Foundation Ireland; Aggregate Levy Sustainable Fund (DEFRA), Physical Properties Network (EPSRC), Advisory Group on Natural Disaster Reduction (Cabinet Office). Lead scientst on the Basic Technology 'Biologically Inspired Acoustic Systems' Project.External examiner: PhDs (University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Birkbeck, Southampton, Strathclyde and Herriot-Watt): MSc programmes (University of Wales Bangor and Portsmouth University): Marine Geotechnics; and Geological and Environmental Hazards. Show less

Keyworth, Nottingham

Scientist responsible specialising in Urban, Coastal and Climate Change planning; author of 10+ books/ book chapters, 50+ journal papers, 50+ commissioned reports and 20+ published maps.Environmental setting and hazard assessment (physical and chemical) of urban areas: Bangkok, Bradford, Coventry, Mombasa, Jakarta, Rio de Janeiro (Sepetiba Bay) and Stoke-on-Trent and major infrastructure projects (Sellafield Nuclear Storage and Carsington Dam).Awarded the START (International… Show more Scientist responsible specialising in Urban, Coastal and Climate Change planning; author of 10+ books/ book chapters, 50+ journal papers, 50+ commissioned reports and 20+ published maps.Environmental setting and hazard assessment (physical and chemical) of urban areas: Bangkok, Bradford, Coventry, Mombasa, Jakarta, Rio de Janeiro (Sepetiba Bay) and Stoke-on-Trent and major infrastructure projects (Sellafield Nuclear Storage and Carsington Dam).Awarded the START (International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme) lectureship for West Africa: Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria; (Centre Recherches Oceanologiques, Abidjan, University of Ghana, Legon, Centre for Coastal research, Lome, Nigerian Institute for Oceanographic and Marine Research, University of Nigeria, Yaba). Managed Coastal and Global change research (science budget and commerical; UK and international) in BGS. Faced Parliamentary Select Committee in relation to the Marine Bill; Project Director: Coastal Resources Management Project (Sri Lanka Government and Asian Development Bank) and the ICZMap (UK Hydrographic Office and Ordnance Survey - Invest-to-save, Treasury). Show less

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Geology/Earth Science, General

Bachelor Of Science (Bsc), Geology/Earth Science, General