Combined expertise creates hub of weather and climate excellence in Exeter

Since its move to Exeter, the Met Office's partnership with the University has made Exeter an international hub of expertise in weather and climate research.

Together the two organisations have developed collaborative ideas with a potential value of over £30 million.

Collaborative initiatives currently in development are worth over £17 million, of which over £12 million have successfully gained funding, and four professors are employed jointly.

Together our scientists are working to improve weather and climate prediction models and researching many key environmental science challenges across the globe. Examples range from how to reduce greenhouse gases in China and Europe to evaluating models to predict storms.

Our researchers have a high profile role in creating what will be the world’s most comprehensive report on climate change, with a combined total of 12 selected as lead authors for the 5th Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Professor Nick Talbot, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Knowledge Transfer) said: “The University has a growing reputation for climate change research, and our partnership with the Met Office is a unique opportunity to collaborate on furthering our understanding of climate change and weather systems and long term climatic change. The exceptional calibre of our scientists means we are able to attract funding from a wide range of sources to pursue this vital work.”

External funders include the Natural Environment Research Council the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, the Higher Education Funding Council for England, the European Commission, the Willis Research Network and the Leverhulme Trust.

Professor Julia Slingo, Chief Scientist at the Met Office, said: “Our partnership with the University of Exeter is part of a cluster of research excellence aimed at accelerating science research to benefit society. By combining expertise and knowledge across these institutions we are helping to tackle key challenges in weather and climate science, as well as securing the UK’s world-leading position in weather forecasting and climate prediction.”