Andrew B. Carr

Profile

I am a postdoctoral researcher and chartered civil engineer with experience in flood risk management, hydrology, and hydraulic infrastructure development.

I joined the University of Leeds in 2016 as a PhD student investigating the hydrodynamics of the middle Congo River. I was awarded my PhD in 2020, and now work as a research fellow on the GCRF Water Hub project.

Before my PhD I spent eight years in industry as an engineering consultant implementing river engineering and flood risk management projects in the UK. I also have overseas experience developing small hydropower schemes for rural energy access programmes. I maintain links with industry, recently through part-time consultancy work for the World Bank.

Research Overview

During my PhD, I studied the hydraulics of the Congo River, and investigated methods of modelling the hydrodynamics of this multichannel system. I collected and analysed significant primary data obtained during multiple field campaigns in DR Congo, and also drew on satellite observations, exploring their utility in monitoring the hydrodynamics of large rivers.

After completing my PhD, I worked as a postdoc developing a hydrodynamic model of the middle Congo, as part of the Congo River Island Prospects (CRISP) project. The aims of this research project are to: (1) investigate the stability of mid-channel islands; and (2) evaluate methods of monitoring the discharge of multichannel rivers from satellite. My role involved collaboration with Congolese researchers at CRREBaC, and NASA SWOT satellite scientists.

Currently I work as a research fellow on the GCRF Water Hub project. My role is concerned with regions where hydrologic data is scarce, yet is badly needed to manage water related risks. A key part of the role is to investigate the potential for certain global water datasets to address this data scarcity.

Key external research affiliations and collaborations:

• GCRF Water Hub:- https://water.leeds.ac.uk/our-missions/mission-1/ukri-gcrf-water-security-and-sustainable-development-hub/
• CRREBaC (Centre de Recherche en Ressources en Eau du Bassin du Congo):- https://crrebac1.odoo.com/en_GB/
• NASA SWOT Discharge Estimation for Multichannel Rivers:- https://swot.jpl.nasa.gov/people/161/ernesto-rodriguez/
• CRuHM (Congo River users Hydraulics and Morphology) Consortium:- https://www.researchgate.net/project/Congo-River-user-Hydraulics-and-Morphology-CRUHM

Research interests

I have a number of research interests that sit within the broad topic area of my PhD, such as:

• Exploring the use of satellite observations for monitoring large river hydrodynamics.
• Conducting field campaigns; and using field data to complement satellite observations.
• Developing approaches to modelling large multichannel river systems.
• Applying hydrodynamic research to connected research topics such as carbon cycling, river and floodplain ecology, and sediment transport.
• Using hydrodynamic research to inform the management of flood risk, river navigation, and water resources.

I am also interested in research that is relevant to my professional experience in river engineering, hydrology and flood risk. My interests here cut across a number of research fields such as: hydrologic and hydraulic research; natural hazards & disaster risk reduction; water resources; environmental and social impacts; dams and other civil works; and rural energy access. I am especially interested in developing new approaches that are suitable for challenging contexts: where data is sparse, and resilience to extreme weather events and climate change is needed.

Qualifications

• PhD, Civil Engineering, University of Leeds, 2020
• Chartered Civil Engineer (CEng, MICE), 2015.
• MEng, Civil & Structural Engineering, University of Leeds, 2008. 1st class.

Research groups and institutes

• Water, Public Health and Environmental Engineering