Professor's new role improves forecasting of severe weather
Monday, 16 August 2010
Professor Stephen Belcher
'Stephen's appointment is extremely well-deserved. His research makes him ideally suited to this challenging new role.'
The University is delighted to congratulate Professor Stephen Belcher who has been appointed as a new Chair in Weather Systems, co-sponsored by the UK Met Office.
Professor Belcher, formally Head of the University's School of Maths and Meteorology, will play a key role in fostering collaborative research between the Met Office and the University. This will ensure Reading's cutting-edge weather research is applied effectively, helping to improve operational weather forecasts.
Professor Belcher said: "I am delighted to be offered this position which gives me the opportunity to bring together research within the Met Office and the Department of Meteorology, and make a real difference to the forecasting of severe weather."
Strong links already exist between the University's Department of Meteorology and the Met Office, and Professor Belcher's position will further enhance what is an already hugely successful partnership.
The Joint Met Office Chair in Weather Systems has been established to lead the new 'Reading Weather Initiative', which aims to integrate and enhance the University's world-class research into the physics, dynamics and forecasting of high-impact weather.
Importantly, the new role will ensure that the most is being made of the cutting-edge research within the Department, such as understanding the processes that cause very heavy rainfall and the structure of mid-latitude storms that can bring high winds.
Professor Gordon Marshall, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, said: "Stephen's appointment to the Joint Meteorological Office Chair in Weather Systems is extremely well-deserved. His research into urban meteorology, convective storms and cyclonic weather systems make him ideally suited to this challenging new role.
"The expertise and quality of research within our Department of Meteorology means Reading is playing a crucial role in our understanding of weather events, as well as leading the way in tackling the issues surrounding climate change."
Professor Belcher took up his new post on 1st August 2010 when he stepped down as Head of the University's School of Maths and Meteorology.