Mr. Charlie Stratford

Charlie's research background is in wetland hydro-ecology, and he was a member of the hydro-ecology and wetlands group at the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH), now UKCEH, for 15 years. The focus of his early research was the hydrological processes that link wetland habitats to their surroundings. His research has naturally evolved with an increasing focus on the benefits that wetland habitats provide to people, and understanding the underpinning characteristics of habitats from which these benefits are derived. In 2016, Charlie was awarded a Knowledge Exchange Fellowship by the Natural Environment Research Council, to support regional-scale policy and decision makers in including natural capital and ecosystem services in their processes.

During 2017 and 2018, Charlie managed CEH’s Water Evidence Review Consortium contract for Defra and oversaw the design and delivery of five evidence reviews. With UKCEH colleague, James Miller, he has delivered evidence review training courses for a range of audiences. Charlie also led CEH’s 2017 systematic review of the influence of catchment forestry on river flooding. Since 2017 he leads UKCEH’s engagement with the water sector, working at the interface between research, policy and application. In 2022, Charlie was appointed UKCEH Head of Research and Business Development. 

Charlie maintains close links to academia and is assistant editor of the journal Mires and Peat, represents UKCEH in the UK Water Partnership, the Floodplain Meadows Partnership, and sits on the UK WFD Wetland Technical Advisory Group.

• 2022 - Head of Research and Business Development, UKCEH
• 2017 to 2022 - Water Sector Engagement Manager, UKCEH
• 2001 to 2017 - Wetland Hydrologist, CEH.

Selected recent projects:

• Somerset Levels and Moors: Assessment of the impact of water level management on flood risk (2014) Client: Somerset Drainage Boards Consortium. Role: Project manager and wetland hydrologist. Assessment of the impact of raised water level schemes on flooding.
• River Glen Integrated Catchment Management Study (2014) Client: South Lincolnshire Fens Partnership. Role: Project manager and wetland hydrologist. Assessment of current and future water management.
• The Hydro-Ecology of English Sand Dunes (2013) Client: Natural England. Role: Project manager and wetland hydrologist. Botanical survey of the main English sand dune wetlands. Hydro-ecological conceptualisation and monitoring of key sites.
• Monitoring and Assessment of Environmental Impacts of Droughts (2012) Client: Environment Agency. Role: Wetland hydrologist – coordinating wetland section. To assess and summarise the current literature on the ecological impacts of droughts and to provide guidance on improved monitoring of drought related habitat stress.
• Chimney Meadows Floodplain Restoration (2012) Client: BBOWT and NERC. Role: Project manager and wetland hydrologist. To monitor the impact of floodplain restoration techniques and using a combination of observed and modelled data, assess the different techniques against future climate scenarios.
• Great Fen Project (2012) Client: Natural England, Environment Agency and the Wildlife Trusts. Role: Wetland hydrologist. The restoration of up to 37 km2 of wetland between Huntingdon and Peterborough with the aim of delivering benefits for society, biodiversity and the local economy.