Leading researchers from the University of Liverpool’s School of Environmental Science and School of Engineering made a large contribution to the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management’s (CIWEM) Flood and Coast conference, held at Liverpool’s Exhibition Campus 9-11 June 2026.
The annual conference is an industry-leading event that brings together professionals from across the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management sector to share new approaches, research and innovation. This year’s event also featured keynote talks from leading industry figures and government representatives.
Professor Nicoletta Leonardi, School of Environmental Science and Jen Hardy, Partnerships and Innovation Manager, Research and Partnerships, played a major role in organising the Liverpool-led activities at the conference which included three interactive workshops, an exhibition stand and a series of talks showcasing Liverpool’s innovative research focused on resilience to environmental pressures and climate change.
Jen Hardy said: “Attending the Flood and Coast Conference has provided an excellent opportunity to engage with industry partners, regulators, and local authorities from across the UK, showcasing the breadth of expertise and opportunities available through the University of Liverpool. Discussions highlighted potential collaborations in research and consultancy with our specialist academic teams, while also promoting opportunities for organisations to connect with and support our students through placements, projects, and graduate recruitment. This engagement reinforces the University's commitment to developing impactful partnerships that deliver benefits for both external stakeholders and our academic community.”
Professor Leonardi ran a workshop on AI-driven Coastal Resilience, co-hosted with IBM on the ‘Future of Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management’ stage. The session explored how artificial intelligence can support future approaches to coastal resilience and flood risk management.
Professor Leonardi said: “Flood and Coast 2026 was a fantastic opportunity to engage Liverpool’s expertise with the flood and coastal risk management industry. It was inspiring to see such strong engagement with our research as we work together to build resilience to future environmental challenges”
PhD students from the Net Zero Maritime Energy Solutions CDT (N0MES) Centre for Doctoral Training also played a prominent role in the conference by delivering four individual presentations on their research progress and hosted a curated content session entitled Bridging Academia and Industry. The session highlighted the value of collaborative doctoral training in supporting coastal and net zero innovation. It explored how partnerships between academia and industry can address critical research challenges, develop sector-ready skills and create a pipeline of future leaders for the net zero and water sectors.
This was the first time the conference had been held in Liverpool, with partners across the city region keen to demonstrate the city’s strengths in environmental research, innovation and collaboration.