UEA and Anglian Water strengthen commitment to innovation, sustainability and regional impact
By: Katie Wyatt-Hupton
The University of East Anglia (UEA) and Anglian Water are reaffirming their shared commitment to tackling some of the region's most pressing environmental challenges as senior representatives from both organisations met on Friday 2 October to explore future opportunities for collaboration.
The visit brought the two regional anchor institutions together to discuss strategic priorities, and the role that research, innovation and skills development can play in addressing the issues facing East Anglia and beyond.
A partnership built on innovation
UEA and Anglian Water have long worked together to address the environmental and societal challenges associated with living and working in one of the driest regions of the UK.
The collaboration has harnessed UEA's world-leading expertise across environmental sciences, economics, law, business, psychology, chemistry and mathematics with Anglian Water's industry-leading knowledge and experience. The partnership has supported projects exploring environmental sustainability, behavioural change and the long-term resilience of water resources in a region facing increasing pressures from climate change, population growth and agricultural demand.
The partnership has delivered more than 40 collaborative projects, including research into pollution from farmland, climate change impacts on water availability, biodiversity net gain and natural capital. UEA researchers have also contributed to a number of Anglian Water innovation programmes, co-funded doctoral research projects and knowledge exchange initiatives that have helped translate academic expertise into practical solutions.
Renewing a shared vision
As Anglian Water delivers its ambitious business plan, new opportunities are emerging to strengthen the partnership and accelerate innovation for the benefit of our region. Areas of mutual interest include environmental sustainability, nature recovery, water resilience, skills development and supporting the transition to a greener economy.
The visit provided an opportunity to review existing collaborations and identify how UEA's research strengths can contribute to major future initiatives, including programmes focused on improving river health, environmental outcomes and partnership-led innovation. It also highlighted opportunities to strengthen workforce development and talent pipelines that can help address industry challenges while creating opportunities for students and graduates.
Delivering impact for the region
By combining research, innovation and practical application, both organisations have helped advance understanding of some of the most important environmental issues facing the region. Looking ahead, there are numerous opportunities to build on these foundations and develop new collaborations that benefit communities, businesses and the natural environment.
The meeting also marks an important moment in the partnership as Anglian Water signed UEA's Civic Charter, recognising a shared commitment to supporting communities, driving positive change and creating regional impact. The signing of the Charter helps ensure that the partnership continues to deliver positive impact across Norfolk, Suffolk and the wider East of England.
UEA Vice Chancellor, Prof David Maguire, with Anglian Water CEO, Mark Thurston.
Prof David Maguire, Vice-Chancellor at UEA, said:
"The challenges facing our region require strong partnerships between academia and industry. Our longstanding relationship with Anglian Water is a fantastic example of how collaborative research and innovation can deliver real-world impact. We are united by a shared commitment to creating innovative solutions to today's challenges, helping to secure a more sustainable future for generations to come. Building on years of successful collaboration, we look forward to exploring new opportunities to work together and amplify our impact across the region.”
Phil Buckingham, Head of Research and Innovation at Anglian Water said:
“Some of the most impactful innovations come from bringing together people with different expertise and perspectives. Our partnership with UEA has already delivered valuable research, insights and innovation over many years, and it's exciting to be exploring what the next chapter could look like. Together, we have an opportunity to turn great ideas into practical solutions that benefit our customers, communities and the environment."
Cara Penny, Senior Skills and Early Careers Manager at Anglian Water, said:
"The University of East Anglia (UEA) has been a valued partner to Anglian Water for many years, bringing together academic expertise, research, innovation and a shared commitment to the future of our region. As demand for skills in engineering, environmental science and the digital space continues to grow, working closely with UEA gives us an opportunity to inspire future talent, create meaningful pathways into employment and ensure the East of England has the people and capabilities needed to thrive for years to come."
Dr Richard Cooper, School of Environmental Sciences at UEA, said:
"East Anglia faces significant environmental pressures, from protecting river health to adapting to climate change, and these challenges require innovative solutions. For example, through a seven-year project with Anglian Water and Norfolk Rivers Trust, UEA has been able to undertake detailed monitoring of integrated constructed wetlands, assessing their effectiveness in removing nutrients, microplastics and PFAS from wastewater. The findings are helping to build a clearer understanding of the role nature-based solutions can play in addressing some of the most pressing water quality challenges facing our region and beyond. I'm excited about the potential to build on this success through future collaborations between UEA and Anglian Water."
For more information on this research, or to find out how UEA expertise can help your organisation, please email business@uea.ac.uk.
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