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Staff Profile

Dr Anna Murgatroyd

Lecturer in Hydrology

Background

Introduction

Anna holds a bachelor's degree in Geography from the University of Oxford. She completed her DPhil at the same university, titled 'Adaptive water resources planning to manage London's water supply'. Using water system modelling software, emissions driven river flow sequences, and water demand forecasts, Anna examined the vulnerability of the existing London water supply system to different sources of uncertainty, and evaluated the success of new supply infrastructure, demand management schemes, operating policies and regulatory rules under future scenarios of change. The three methodological planning frameworks developed as part of her doctoral research are designed to build water supply resilience to uncertain future conditions.

Anna previously held the position of the Oxford Water Network Coordinator and was responsible for organising seminars and networking events, building relationships with external partners, and engaging with early career researchers.

Supervision (PhD)

PhD opportunities

Exploring the trade-offs in flood protection and security of water supply when adopting nature-based solutions

Award summary: 100% of home fees covered, and a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £19,237 (2024/25 UKRI rate), plus research project costs. 

Overview: The Centre for Doctoral Training for Resilient Flood Futures (FLOOD-CDT) will train the next generation of research practitioners who will make a tangible difference to future flood management in the UK and internationally. Our goal is to provide a nurturing and inspiring training environment to develop the independent future leaders we need who can translate research and innovation into practice. Find out more here: https://flood-cdt.ac.uk/ 

About the project: Planning to manage floods and drought often occur independently and over different planning cycles. However, interventions that address one type of hydrological hazard may influence the dynamics of another hazard. In recent decades nature-based solutions have become a popular intervention to reduce exposure to flood risk and the cascading impacts of climate change. Yet, little research has been done to understand and quantify the consequences of nature-based flood solutions on water resource supplies in the catchment during low flow periods. Indeed, few modelling frameworks exist to assess the interactions between nature-based solutions, flooding, and water supply, and there is limited understanding of how these interactions may evolve in the future under climate change and changing water demands. Working with partners in the Environment Agency’s Climate Change and Resource Efficiency team, this project aims to address this knowledge gap by developing a holistic multi-model framework that simulates multiple interacting aspects of the water system. The framework will be used to further understanding and inform the management of evolving flood and water supply risks. The project will focus on a UK-based case study but will have international relevance for countries facing flooding and drought hazards.

Areas of expertise

  • Water resources planning and management
  • Climate change impact analysis
  • Global food systems
  • Decision Making under Deep Uncertainty (DMDU)

Links

Research

Anna's main research interests include water resources planning and management, climate impacts analysis, global food systems resilience, and applications of Decision making under Deep Uncertainty (DMDU) methods. 

Listen to a short podcast on Anna's research here: Oxford Sparks

Recent and ongoing projects

Teaching

Modules

  • ENG1008 - Python
  • CEG3503 - Hydrosystems Engineering
  • CEG8526 - Hydrosystems Modelling and Management
Publications