Rachel Helliwell

Director of Hydro Nation International Centre
Environmental and Biochemical Sciences
T: +44 (0)7854 758876
Rachel is known for her contributions to water science and policy and her commitment to advancing sustainable water management and policy, both in Scotland and internationally. As Director of the Hydro Nation International Centre, she plays a crucial role in fostering collaboration between academia, government, and the private sector to address the complex challenges of water management. By leveraging Scotland's leadership in water innovation, she works to shape both local and global water systems, particularly in the face of climate change and economic development pressures.

Biography

In her role, Rachel helps connect the research community at the James Hutton Institute and other academic institutions with policy-making and practical solutions. This includes leading the Centre of Expertise for Waters and the Hydro Nation Scholars Programme, which contribute to Scotland’s water research ecosystem while promoting international collaboration.

Rachel’s past research, focused on water systems, biogeochemical modelling, and the intersection of water management with socioeconomic development, has laid a strong foundation for her current leadership position. Her work stands at the intersection of science, policy, and practice, with a particular focus on ensuring the long-term sustainability and resilience of water resources in a rapidly changing world.

In particular, Rachel has contributed to:

  1. Policy Development and Advice: Her expertise has been crucial in shaping water-related policy in Scotland. Rachel has provided research-based recommendations that influence how Scotland manages its water resources, balancing ecological needs with human demands.
  2. Water Research and Innovation: Rachel has worked on various interdisciplinary research projects that address practical challenges in water management, from the integration of climate resilience into water systems to the design and implementation decentralised water and wastewater recycling systems.
  3. International Collaboration: Rachel has been involved in initiatives that aim to share Scotland’s water expertise with other nations, particularly India and Sub-Saharan Africa. This collaboration helps address global water issues, including scarcity, pollution, and equitable access to clean water.
  4. Education and Knowledge Transfer: In her role as Director of the Hydro Nation Scholar Programme, Rachel co-designs research topics to address the longer-term research needs of Scottish Government and their delivery partners in the water sector. With her team, she works to recruit talented scholars to deliver cutting-edge research to promote the sustainable and efficient use of water resources worldwide.
**Pics free to use**

Publications

The following Publications have not yet been migrated to the James Hutton Institute's Pure service and relate to the research outputs from the two legacy organisations: The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute and The Scottish Crop Research Institute.

Journals

Books / chapters

  • Wright, R.F.; Aherne, J.; Bishop, K.; Dillon, P.J.; Erlandsson, M.; Evans, C.D.; Forsius, M.; Hardekopf, D.W.; Helliwell, R.C.; Hruska, J.; Hutchins, M.; Kaste, O.; Kopacek, J.; Kram, P.; Laudon, H.; Moldan, F.; Rogora, M.; Sjoeng, A.M.s.; de Wit, H.A. (2010) Interaction of climate change and acid deposition., In: Kernan, M., Moss, B. & Battarbee, R. W. (eds.). Climate Change Impacts on Freshwater Ecosystems: Direct Effects and Interactions with Other Stresses. Blackwell Publishers, Oxford, Chapter 7, pp152-179.
  • Helliwell, R.C.; Lilly, A.; Bell, J. (2007) Soils of Lochnagar: their development, distribution, properties and influence on surface water chemistry., In: Lochnagar: The Natural History of a Mountain Lake Developments in Paleoenvironmental Research (DPER) (ed. Neil L. Rose). Volume 12, Springer, pp93-120.

Technical / contract reports

  • Helliwell, R.C.; Aherne, J.; MacDougall, G.; Broadmeadow, S.; Nisbet, T.R.; Sample, J.; Jackson-Blake, L.; Doughty, R.; Malcolm, I. (2011) Modelling the long-term response of stream water chemistry to atmospheric pollution and forestry practices in Galloway, SW Scotland., Forestry Commission Report.
  • Waylen, K.A.; Slee, R.; Helliwell, R.C.; Brown, I.; Morris, S.; Blackstock, K.L. (2011) REFRESH Cross-European Policy Workshop Report., Deliverable 1.13 for the REFRESH Project.
  • Emmett, B.; Ashmore, M.; Belyazid, S.; Britton, A.; Caporn, S.; Carroll, J.; Davies, O.; Dise, N.; Field, C.; Helliwell, R.C.; Henrys, P.; Hester, A.J.; Hughes, H.; Jones, L.; Kivimaki, S.; Leake, J.; Leith, I.; Maskell, R.; Mills, L.; Mizunuma, T.; Ostle, N.; Phoenix, G.; Pilkington, M.; Pitman, R.; Power, S.; Reynolds, B.; Rowe, E.; Scott, A.; Sheppard, L.; Smart, S.; Sowerby, A.; Tipping, E.; Vanguelova, E.; Vuohelainen, A.; Williams, B.L. (2010) Terrestrial Umbrella – Effects of eutrophication and acidification on terrestrial ecosystems. Annual Report 2010., Annual Contract Report to Defra.
  • Curtis, C.; Battarbee, R.; Helliwell, R.C. (2010) Critical loads and the Water Framework Directive – experiences from the UK., In: Proceedings of the 25th Meeting of the ICP Waters Task Force, Burlington, Canada, 19-21 October 2009 (eds. B.L. Skjelkvale, H. de Wit & D. Jeffries). NIVA report no. 5995 2010. NIVA, Oslo, Norway, pp50-54.
  • Evans, C.; Hall, J.; Rowe, E.; Helliwell, R.C.; Smart, S.; Norris, D.; Cooper, D.; Coull, M.C.; Moldan, F.; Blomgren, H.; MacDougall, G.; Aherne, J.; Oulehle, F.; Cosby, J.; Hutchins, M.; Woods, C.; Lawlor, A.; Jenkins, A. (2010) Critical loads and dynamic modelling umbrella., DRAFT Final Report for the period 2077 – 2010, March 2010.
  • Curtis, C.; Batterbee, R.; Helliwell, R.C.; Flower, R.; Simpson, G.L.; Monteith, D.; Shilland, E.; Aherne, J.; MacDougall, G. (2010) Chapter 9 Recovery Progress: reference conditions and restoration targets., UK Acid Waters Monitoring Network 20 year Interpretative Report, ECRC Research Report 141, pp206-237.
  • Battarbee, R.; Curtis, C.; Helliwell, R.C.; Nisbet, T.; Rose, N.; Evans, C.; Monteith, D.; Aherne, J.; MacDougall, G. (2010) Chapter 10 Recovery: The future, confounding factors and threats., UK Acid Waters Monitoring Network 20 year Interpretative Report, ECRC Research Report 141, pp238-278.
  • Emmett, B.; Ashmore, M.; Belyazid, S.; Britton, A.; Broadmeadow, M.; Caporn, S.; Davies, O.; Dise, N.; Field, C.; Helliwell, R.C.; Hester, A.J.; Hughes, S.; Leake, J.; Leith, I.; Maskell, L.; Mills, R.; Mizunuma, T.; Ostle, N.; Phoenix, G.; Power, S.; Reynolds, B.; Rowe, E.; Scott, A.; Sheppard, L.; Smart, S.; Sowerby, A.; Tipping, E.; Vanguelova, E.; Vuohelainen, A.;Williams, B.P. (2009) Terrestrial Umbrella – Effects of Eutrophication and Acidification on Terrestrial Ecosystems. Annual Report 2009., Annual Contract Report to DEFRA.
  • Evans, C.; Hall, J.; Rowe, E.; Helliwell, R.C.; Hutchins, M.; Cosby, J.; Smart, S.; Coull, M.C. (2009) Critical loads and dynamic modelling. 24 Month Report, 24 Month Report to DEFRA.
  • Black, H.I.J.; Britton, A.J.; Helliwell, R.C.; Langan, S.J.; Taylor, A.F.S.; Booth P.D. (2009) To establish soil indicators to assess the impact of atmospheric deposition on environmentally senstive areas., Consultancy Service, SEPA.
  • Emmett, B.; Cooper, J.R.; Ashmore, M.; Belyazid, S.; Britton, A.; Broadmeadow, M.; Caporn, S.; Carroll, J.; Davies, O.; Dise, N.; Field, C.; Helliwell, R.C.; Hester, A.J. Hughes, S.; Leake, J.; Leith, I.; Maskell, L.; Mills, R.; Mizunuma, T.; Ostle, N.; Phoenix, G.; Power, S.; Reynolds, B.; Rowe, E.; Scott, A.; Sheppard, L.; Smart, S.; Sowerby, A.; Tipping, E.; Vanguelova, E.; Vuohelainen, A. (2008) Terrestrial Umbrella – Effects of Eutrophication and Acidification on Terrestrial Ecosystems. Annual Report 2008., Annual Contract Report to DEFRA.
  • Evans, C.; Hall, J.; Rowe, E.; Helliwell, R.C.; Hutchins, M.; Cosby, J.; Smart, S.; Coull, M.C. (2008) Critical loads and dynamic modelling., 18 Month Report to DEFRA.
  • Helliwell, R.C.; Evans, C.; Hall, J.; Rowe, E.; Hutchins, M.; Cosby, J.; Smart, S.; Coull, M.C.; Aherne, J. (2008) Critical loads and dynamic modelling (WP4 Model testing and uncertainty analysis)., 12 Month Report to DEFRA.
  • Simpson, G.L.; Helliwell, R.C. (2008) Report on an application of analogue matching of a Scottish dataset of MAGIC hydrochemistry hindcasts and forecasts to a modern training set of UK hydrochemistry., EUROLIMPACS project report.
  • Evans, C.; Hall, J.; Rowe, E.; Helliwell, R.C.; Aherne, J.; Hutchins, M.; Cosby, J.; Smart, S.; Coull, M.C. (2007) Critical loads and dynamic modelling (WP4 Model testing and uncertainty analysis)., 6 Month Report to the DEFRA.
  • Kernan, M.R.; Battarbee, R.; Wright, R.F.; Helliwell, R.C. etc (2007) EUROLIMPACS: An integrated project to investigate the combined impact of climate change and acid deposition on freshwater ecosystems. Final Report., Report to EU, Brussels Contract No GOCE-CT-2003-505540.
  • Evans, C.; Hall, J.; Rowe, E.; Helliwell, R.C.; Aherne, J.; Jenkins, A.; Hutchins, M.; Cosby, J.; Smart, S.; Howard, D.; Norris, D.; Coull, M.C.; Lilly, A.; Broughton, R.; O’Hanlon, S.; Heywood, E.; Ullyett, J. (2007) Critical loads and dynamic modelling., Final Report to the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs under Contract Number CPEA 19.
  • Evans, C.; Hall, J.; Rowe, E.; Aherne, J.; Cosby, J.; Coull, M.C.; Helliwell, R.C.; Hutchins, M.; Jenkins, A.; Broughton, R.; Norris, D. (2006) Critical loads and dynamic modelling annual report – year 2., Report to the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs under Contract Number CPEA 19.
  • Evans, C.; Aherne, J.; Cosby, J.; Helliwell, R.C.; Hall, J.; Hutchins, M.; Jenkins, A.; Rowe, E.; Ullyett, J.; Broughton, R.; Heywood L.; Norris, D. (2006) Critical loads and dynamic modelling annual report – interim report 18 months., Report to the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs under Contract Number CPEA 19.
  • Emmett, B.A.; Williams, B.L.; Ashmore, M.; Britton, A.J.; Broadmeadow, M.; Bullock, J.; Cape, J.N.; Caporn, S.J.M.; Carroll, J.A.; Cresser, M.S.; Crossley, A.; de Lange, I.; Edmondson, J.; Evans, C.; Fowler, D.; Grant, H.; Gren, E.R.; Green, S.; Griffiths, (2006) Terrestrial Umbrella Annual Report 2006., Report to NERC-DEFRA, Project No. CO2613, July 2006, Contract No. CPEA 18, July 2006.
  • Evans, C.; Aherne, J.; Cosby, J.; Hall, J.; Helliwell, R.C.; Hutchins, M.; Jenkins, A.; Rowe, E.; Ullyett, J.; Broughton, R.; Heywood, L.; Norris, D. (2005) Critical loads and dynamic modelling annual report – year 1., Report to the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs under Contract Number CPEA 19.
  • Evans, C.; Aherne, J.; Cosby, J.; Helliwell, R.C.; Hall, J.; Hutchins, M.; Jenkins, A.; Rowe, E.; Ullyett, J.; Broughton, R.; Heywood L.; Norris, D. (2005) Critical loads and dynamic modelling annual report – interim report 6 months., Report to the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs under Contract Number CPEA 19.
  • Emmett, B.A.; Williams, B.L.; Ashmore, M.; Benham, S.; Britton, AJ..; Broadmeadow, M.; Caporn, S.J.M.; Carroll, J.; Cresser, M.; Cresswell, N.; Crossley, A.; Edmondson, J.; Grant, H.; Green, E.; Green, S.; Helliwell, R.C.; Hinton, C.; Hughes, S.; Jones, A.; Jones, M.; Leake, J.; Lee, J.; Leith, I.; Oakley, S.; Ostle, N.; Power, S.; Price, E.A.C.; Ray, N.; Reynolds, B.; Sheppard, L.; Smart, R.; Smart, S.; Sowerby, A.; Vanguelova, E.; Williams, D.; Wildig, J. (2005) Terrestrial Umbrella Annual Report, 2005., Contract Report to DEFRA, Project No. C02613, July 2005.
  • Curtis, C.; Monteith, D.; Evans, C.; Helliwell, R.C. (2004) Nitrate and future achievement of “good ecological status” in upland waters., In: Batterbee, R.W., Curtis, C.J. & Binney, H.A. (eds.). Future of Britain’s Upland Water. Ensis Publishing, London, pp31-35.
  • Wright, R.F.; Helliwell, R.C.; Evans C.D. (2004) EUROLIMPACS: Workpackage 4 Acidification and climate change 30 month report., Report to EU, Brussels Contract No GOCE-CT-2003-505540.
  • Helliwell, R.C.; Wright, R.F.; Evans C.D. (2004) EUROLIMPACS: Workpackage 4 Acidification and climate change 24 month report., Report to EU, Brussels Contract No GOCE-CT-2003-505540.
  • Jenkins, A.; Ferrier, R.C.; Helliwell, R.C.; Aherne, J.; Evans, C.; Coull, M.C.; Hutchins, M.; Davis, J. (2004) Dynamic modelling of acidification process – Phase II. Final Summary Report., Contract to DEFRA (EPG 1/3/94), December 2004.
  • Curtis, C.; Monteith, D.; Evans, C.; Helliwell, R.C. (2004) Nitrate and future achievement of “good ecological status” in upland waters., DEFRA Contract Report.
  • Curtis, C.; Simpson, G.L.; Kowalik, R.; Ormerod, S.; Evans, C.; Hall, J.; Ullyett, J.; Cooper, D.M.; Davies, J.; Hutchins, M.; Jenkins, A.; Battarbee, R.; Hughes, M.; Kernan, M.; Monteith, D.; Patrick, S.; Rose, N.; Yang, H.; Malcolm, I.; McCartney, A.; Watson, J.; Ferrier, R.C.; Helliwell, R.C.; Coull, M.C.; Juggins, S. (2004) Summary of research under Defra contract “recovery of Acidified Waters in the UK”, EPG/1/3/183. Final Report., Research Report No.98, Environmental Change Research Centre, London, pp362.
  • Helliwell, R.C.; Wright, R.F. (2003) Progress report to the EU on Work Package 4. Acidification and climate change interactions. 6 month report., In: Euro-limpacs (EU Contract No. GOCE-CT-2003-505540) EU Sixth Framework Programme Global Change and Ecosystems theme.

Conference papers

  • Jackson-Blake, L.A; Helliwell, R.C.; Posch, M. (2011) Development of long-term N and S deposition scenarios for the demonstration catchments for use in WP5., Deliverable 1.10 for the REFRESH Project.
  • Futter, M.N.; Helliwell, R.C.; Whitehead, P.G.; Aherne, J. (2008) Modelling nitrate dynamics in montane catchments: pitfalls and opportunities., British Hydrological Society Conference Proceedings, Sustainable Hydrology for the 21st Century, University of Exeter, 15-17 September 2008.
  • Helliwell, R.C.; Juggins, S. (2002) Predicting biological and chemical recovery in the Galloway region of SW Scotland., Celtic Water in a European Framework: Pointing the Way to Quality, National University of Ireland, Galway, 8-10 July 2002.
  • Soulsby, C.; Malcolm, R.; Helliwell, R.C.; Ferrier, R.C. (1999) Seasonal hydrology of oxygen-18 in the Allt a’ Mharcaidh, Scotland : implications for water movement and residence times., IAHS Publication.
  • Helliwell, R.C.; Ferrier, R.C.; Jenkins, A.; Soulsby, C. (1998) Influence of altitude on bulk and enhancement deposition in the Cairngorm mountains, Scotland., Headwater ’98, MERAN, 20-23 April 1998. Headwater Control IV : Hydrology, Water Resources and Ecology in Headwaters, pp209-212.
  • Soulsby, C.; Chen, M.; Helliwell, R.C.; Ferrier, R.C.; Jenkins, A.; Harriman, R. (1997) Groundwater influence on the hydrology and hydrochemistry of upland streams in Scotland., British Hydrological Society, 6th National Hydrology Symposium, University of Salford, 15-18 September, 1997.

Conference posters / abstracts

  • Helliwell, R.C. (2011) Adaptive strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on European freshwater ecosystems. EU 7th Framework Collaborative Project., Climate Change and the Water Sector Integrating Adaptation and Mitigation in Practice, SOAS, CIWM Conference, London, 17 November 2011.
  • Jackson-Blake, L.A; Helliwell, R.C.; Britton, A.; Gibbs, S; Coull, M.C. (2010) Can environmental traits be used to understand nitrogen leaching?, Global Change and the World’s Mountains, Perth, Scotland, 26-30 September 2010.
  • Helliwell, R.C.; Britton, A.J.; Gibbs, S.; Fisher, J.M. (2010) The interactive effects of N deposition and land management on nutrient fluxes in a Scottish alpine heathland., Global Change and the World’s Mountains, Perth, Scotland, 26-30 September 2010.
  • Evans, C.; Cooper, D.; Helliwell, R.; Aherne, J.; Hall, J.; Rowe, E.; Monteith, D.; Moldan, F.; Cosby, J. (2009) Removing the disconnect between maps and time series: can long-term monitoring data be used more effectively as a basis for model upscaling?, Working Papers of the Finnish Forest Research Institute, 128.
  • Helliwell, R.C.; Futter, M.N.; Aherne, J. (2009) Implications of climate change and atmospheric nitrogen pollution on rivers and lochs in the Scottish mountains., Open Doors, Macaulay Institute, Aberdeen, 6 June 2009. (Poster)
  • Helliwell, R.C.; Britton, A.J.; Evans, C.; Coull, M.C.; Gibb, S.; Fisher, J.M.; Armitage, H. (2009) Modelling soil carbon stocks and nitrogen dynamics in spatially heterogeneous montane environments., British Society of Soil Science Conference Panel.
  • Helliwell, R.C.; Britton, A.J.; Evans, C.; Coull, M.C.; Gibbs, S.; Fisher, J.M.; Armitage, H.; Dawson, L.A. (2009) Modelling soil carbon stocks and nitrogen dynamics in spatially heterogeneous montane environments., In: Predicting the Future for Highly Organic Soils, British Society of Soil Science, Spring Conference, Edinburgh Conference Centre, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, 5-7 May 2009.
  • Futter, M.N.; Baggaley, N.J.; Brown, I.; Dunn, S.M.; Ferrier, R.C.; Helliwell, R.C.; Coull, M.C. (2008) IWAM Conference., IWAM Workshop – Agriculture, Water Management and Climate Change, MacDonald Bath Spa Hotel, Bath, UK, 4-6 March 2008.
  • Helliwell, R.C.; Baggaley, N.J.; Lilly, A.; Coull, M.C.; Gibbs, S. (2008) Soil hydrological and hydrochemical responses in the allt a’ Mharcaidh catchment, Scotland., European Geosciences Union, General Assembly 2008 Symposium: Soil Structure Forming Processes and Soil Functions, Vienna, Austria, 13-18 April 2008.
  • Futter, M.N.; Baggaley, N.J.; Brown, I.; Coull, M.C.; Dunn, S.M.; Ferrier, R.C.; Fozzard, I.; Helliwell, R.C. (2008) Uncertainties and sensitivities in modelled Scottish loch phosphorus concentrations., IWAM International Workshop on Agriculture, Water Management and Climate Change, Bath, March 2008.
  • Britton, A.J.; Hester, A.J.; Helliwell, R.C. (2006) Impacts of climate, grazing and pollution on structure and functioning of upland landscapes., In: The Future of Biodiversity in the Uplands (ed. J.M. Milne). Battleby, Perth, 8 December 2006.
  • Papanikolau, N.; Johnson, D.; Britton, A.J.; Helliwell, R.C. (2006) Long term atmospheric nitrogen deposition stimulates enzyme activity in montane heathland., Available from James Hutton Institute at: https://www.hutton.ac.uk/research/srp2016-21/wp141-natural-asset-inventory-and-accounts
  • Evans, C.D.; Aherne, J.; Rowe, E.; Cosby, J.; Ullyett, J.; Helliwell, R.C.; Hutchins, M.; Hall, J.; Jenkins, A.; Ferrier, R.C. (2005) UK dynamic modelling for surface waters., Joint Meetings of International Cooperative Programme on Modelling and Mapping of Critical Levels and Loads and Air Pollution Effects, Risks and Trends (ICP, M&M) and the Co-ordination Centre for effects, Berlin, 25-30 April 2005.
  • Coull, M.C.; Helliwell, R.C.; Gibbs, S. (2005) Assessing the impact of N deposition on surface water N concentration: Up-scaling from the plot to hill slope., Acid Rain 2005, International Conference on Acid Deposition, 7th, Prague, Czech Republic, 12-17June 2005.
  • Wright, R.F.; Aherne, J.; Bishop, K.; Camerero, L.; Cosby, B.J.; Evans, C.D.; Hardekopf, H.; Helliwell, R.C.; Forsius, M.; Holberg, M.; Hruska, J.; Jenkins, A.; Moldan, F.; Posch, M.; Rogora, M. (2005) Modelling the effect of climate change on recovery of acidified freshwaters: relative sensitivity of individual processes in the MAGIC and SMART models., Acid rain2005, 7th International Conference on Acid Deposition, Prague, Czech Republic, 12-17June 2005.
  • Moldan, F.; Aherne, J.; Evans, C.; Helliwell, R.C.; Kronnas, V.; Larssen, T.; Posch, M. (2005) Target load functions and scenario analysis for recovery of acidified surface waters in Europe., 3rd Meeting of the MiRA Consortium, James Hutton Institute, West Park, Dundee, 26 August 2019.
  • Evans, C.D.; Rowe, E.C.; Curtis, C.J.; Helliwell, R.C.; Reynolds, B.; Emmett, B.A.; Coull, M.C. (2005) Can organic soil C/N ratios be used to simulate inorganic nitrogen leaching in acidification models?, Global Food Security.
  • Helliwell, R.C.; Aherne, J.; Cosby, J.; Evans, C.D.; Forsius, M.; Holberg, M.; Hruska, J.; Hutchins, M.; Kaste, O.; Kopayek, J.; Kroglund, F.; Moldan, F.; Monteith, D.; Naden, P.; Rogora, M.; Simpson, G.; Sjoeng, A.M.; Wright, R.F. (2005) EUROLIMPACS: An integrated project to investigate the combined impact of climate change and acid deposition on freshwater ecosystems., Acid rain2005, 7th International Conference on Acid Deposition, Prague, Czech Republic, 12-17June 2005.
  • Aherne, J.; Helliwell, R.C.; Lilly, A.; Ferrier, R.C.; Jenkins, A. (2005) Dynamic modelling of the acidification process: the two soil-layer approach., Acid rain2005, 7th International Conference on Acid Deposition, Prague, Czech Republic, 12-17June 2005.
  • Helliwell, R.C.; Evans, C.D.; Aherne, J.; Coull, M.C.; Jenkins, A.; Ferrier, R.C.; Reynolds, B.; Davies, J. (2005) Predicting the potential recovery from acidification in response to reduced acid deposition across the UK: Improved parameterisation of the role of nitrogen., Acid rain2005, 7th International Conference on Acid Deposition, Prague, Czech Republic, 12-17June 2005.

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