Dr. Bill Bealey

Bill's expertise encompasses the biogeochemistry of reactive nitrogen and its consequences for ecosystems, with a particular focus on nitrogen deposition and air pollution impacts. His science includes the development and coordination of large-scale research projects spanning the full nitrogen cycle — from agricultural emissions of ammonia and nitrous oxide through to atmospheric deposition and terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystem response.

At the national level, Bill provides underpinning nitrogen science support to UK stakeholders including pollution regulators and nature conservation practitioners. This has included the design and development of application tools, knowledge systems, and screening models for impact assessment, alongside guidance and advice on ammonia emission mitigation from agricultural sources. He has conducted research into the effects of using trees in the landscape to mitigate against ammonia emissions from livestock practices.

Internationally, Bill engages with UN agencies including UNEP and FAO, contributing to the growing science-policy interface around sustainable nitrogen management and intergovernmental processes that address nitrogen pollution as a cross-cutting challenge for climate, biodiversity, food security, and clean water.

Bill currently is Project Coordinator for the GEF-UNEP Clean & Healthy Oceans project for the Maldives ($4M). He previously coordinated the £17M UKRI GCRF South Asian Nitrogen Hub and was Principal Investigator for the £8M NERC Valuing Nature Programme. He is also an Activity Lead for digital products within the UNEP International Nitrogen Management System (INMS) network.