Flood Hazard Research Centre (FHRC)

Welcome to the Flood Hazard Research Centre

The Flood Hazard Research Centre (FHRC) has focused on water, environmental management and natural hazards since the early 1970s, making us one of world's oldest centres in this field. Today, our research has never been more relevant, as many communities in the UK – and globally - are struggling to cope with record flood levels, and the vast damage and disruption that follows.

Against this growing concern, our aim at the FHRC is to develop our understanding of the relations between people, water and the environment. Our studies are targeted towards helping government bodies and communities to reduce the risks from natural hazards and improve policies for current and future generations. We work to promote sustainable water and coastal zone management, policy and practice based upon good governance.

The FHRC is an interdisciplinary research centre, based in the Faculty of Science and Technology at Middlesex University. Our experienced academics and skilled research students specialise in the interaction between people and the environment, as well as the analysis and appraisal of environmental policies.

In particular, we are interested in the environmental and societal dimensions of natural hazards such as:

• different factors of change
• vulnerability reduction and capacity building
• governance and decision-making

Work with us here

The centre staff work across a range of disciplines including geography, economics, sociology, social anthropology, and environmental science.  We have a PhD and Masters level training programme and run professional training courses for Environment Agency, local authority and consultancy staff. Between us, we have many years experience of working with government bodies in the UK and overseas.

You can find out more about what we do here by reading our portfolio of past and current research projects.

We welcome collaboration with any interested research bodies and individuals.

Research impact

The Flood Hazard Research Centre has recently been featured in our Research Impact Case Studies.

Advice and support for people affected by flooding

Please note that we are an academic research body, not a public service. If you have been flooded or are at risk from flooding you may find the following organisations and web links useful:

• The Environment Agency
• Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
• The National Flood Forum
• Public Health England
• Making a flood plan

Keep in touch

• You can stay up to date with breaking news, as well as upcoming publications and events by following us on Twitter.

• We run one-day courses on flood benefits appraisals at both an introductory and project management level. Fees apply. Please contact Simon McCarthy for further details or to be added to our mailing list.

• The latest "Multi-Coloured Manual" (MCM) is available directly from the publisher, Routledge. This is the culmination of over 2 years' hard work by the FHRC team and our partners at the Environment Agency and Defra.

• The MCM-Online is a companion website to the Manual and contains the "how-to" version of the Manual, the Handbook, and FHRC's extensive suite of flood depth-damage data. Find out about Licence options and fees and access the new Handbook and data by visiting the MCM-Online.

Do you have any queries about the work we do? Then, we'd love to hear from you.

Postal address:

Flood Hazard Research Centre 
Middlesex University 
The Burroughs 
Hendon 
London
NW4 4BT

General enquiries:

Tel: 020 8411 5529 
Fax: 020 8361 1644 
Email: J.Joyce@mdx.ac.uk
Skype ID: Floodh

Come and visit:

Flood Hazard Research Centre
Middlesex University
13 Boulevard Drive
London 
NW9 5HF

To arrange your visit, please get in touch with us in advance.