Rachel Helliwell is a senior research scientist in the Hydrology and Biogeochemistry Group. She has over 23 years of research experience in catchment science. The key aim of her work is improve knowledge of catchment biogeochemical processes and hydrological cycles affecting the interactions between landscapes, their management and the resulting impacts on water quality and quantity. She is also interested in understanding the future impact of environmental drivers (e.g. climate, land management) on biogeochemical processes, hydrology and hydrochemistry.
Much of Rachel’s work has strongly applied and policy relevant aspects; for example, she has co-ordinated and participated in a number International and national funded projects in support of the EU Water Framework Directive and the UN Sustainable Development Goal 6.
Rachel has communicated the results from her research through engagement with a range of stakeholders to maximise its relevance and impact; co-ordinated the Scenarios Working Group on behalf of the Main Research Providers in Scotland and instigated collaborative research activities between Government/ Academics/ Industrial partners/ Environmental agencies and Practitioners.
Rachel is currently working with the Water Industry Team at the Scottish Government to develop the Hydro Nation International programme, an initiative geared towards the delivery of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030). She is responsible for projects in India and Malawi and currently coordinates a decentralised waste water treatment project, designed with a local community for a rural school in India.
Rachel is particularly interested in co-designing her research with stakeholder groups to ensure it is relevant, fit for purpose and the translation of scientific information is effectively communicated to regulators, policy makers, industry and the general public. She is currently focusing on the development of new initiatives to build capacity in her area of work and ensure a sustainable legacy of projects beyond the period of funding.
As part of her commitment to the Scottish Government's Strategic Research Programme, Rachel is leading a project on river temperatures in Scotland. The research has shown evidence that Scottish rivers are warming. Increases can be attributed to rising air temperatures in spring, less snow accumulation during winter, and earlier snow melt. A factsheet [1] has been disseminated amongst estate managers, policy makers and regulators, to highlight the root of the problem and demonstrate management options to enhance the resilience of rivers to change. A number of positive actions to keep rivers cools are recommended.
Links:
[1] https://www.hutton.ac.uk/sites/default/files/files/research/srp2016-21/River%20Temp%20Factsheet-Final.pdf