Type of project: Call Down Project
Overview: The project will provide a concise overview of available faecal indicator organism (FIO) models for E. coli and explore opportunities for integration to support catchment-scale source apportionment in Scotland.
Status: Call for proposals now closed
Title: CRW2025_02 Reducing the mental health and wellbeing impacts of flooding: Informing cross-policy action in Scotland
Type of project: Capacity Building Project
Overview: CREW intends to commission a c.5 month Capacity Building project to develop an understanding of effective cross-policy actions that could be implemented in Scotland to mitigate the negative mental health and broader wellbeing impacts of all types of flooding.
Type of project: Capacity Building Project
Overview: This project aims to apply behavioural science evidence to produce a household flood plan template and consider future actions to support uptake.
Project Status: Project in progress.
Project lead: Glasgow Caledonian University
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) was successfully used to monitor infectious disease markers at population level, exemplified by SARS-CoV-2, obtaining near real-time population level data. To merit further investment, policy teams need assurance that improved surveillance benefits health protection in Scotland.
CREW is governed according to key policy areas in Scotland’s water sector including flooding, water scarcity, coastal erosion, catchment management, rural sustainability, water quality and health, and resource recovery. Cross-cutting activities focus on adapting to climate change, land use and urbanisation, promoting the circular economy, a post-COVID green recovery, the move to net zero and a just transition for communities.
All our work has an overarching consideration of maximising the benefits of research to society and the environment.
Flooding is a growing concern in Scotland with climate change increasing the risk and frequency of extreme events. In Scotland, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is the body responsible for flood forecasting. Accurate flood forecasting plays a vital role in helping communities prepare, respond, and stay safe.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi or other microbes change in ways that stop medicines, like antibiotics, from working properly. This makes infections harder to treat and increases the risk of them spreading, lasting longer, or becoming more serious. The Scottish One Health AMR Register (SOHAR) brings together AMR-related research involving Scottish researchers and organisations. It shows how Scotland is contributing to national efforts and helps identify where more work is needed.
River woodlands (RW) play a crucial role in protecting river ecosystems, for example by reducing flooding, storing carbon, filtering pollution, and benefiting local communities. However, nearly 55% of surveyed riverbank in Scotland show poor RW health. This highlights a need for RW restoration. While RW initiatives like Riverwoods are gaining traction, scaling them up remains challenging. In 2022, Riverwoods conducted a review of existing research on RW benefits, identifying 60 key knowledge gaps.
Coastal flooding and erosion are increasing problems around the Scottish coastline resulting from climatic changes such as increased storm frequency and intensity, as well as rising sea levels. These pose risks to human life, infrastructure and properties, with negative consequences for the national economy.
Type of project: Capacity Building Project.
Overview: This project will conduct an evidence synthesis to assess the current state of knowledge of how investments in protecting and improving natural capital influence the state of the water environment. The synthesis will also explore the wider benefits these investments provide for nature, climate adaptation, public health, net zero targets and agriculture.
Project Status: Project in progress
Project lead: SRUC