Research group

Water and Environmental Engineering Group

One small wooden bridge over a calm river

We are a multidisciplinary team of academics, research staff and postgraduates who try to improve the world we live in through engineering solutions.

Part of Engineering

    About

    The Water and Environmental Engineering Group (WEEG) seek to improve the world we live in through engineering solutions. We bring a variety of fundamental disciplines and skills to our work in the following areas: 

    • Bioenergy and Organic Resources Research Group (BORRG): Our work encompasses advanced aerobic granular systems and bioelectrochemical systems (Microbial Fuel Cells) for wastewater treatment and biological nutrient recovery; anaerobic digestion; new methods for removal of trace pollutants; and design and optimisation of micro-algal treatment systems. Key bioenergy topics include CO2 biomethanisation, biorefinery technologies and microbial fuel cells to support the creation of a sustainable circular bioeconomy. 
    • Environmental Hydraulics group: Our research includes low head hydropower, such as those in irrigation canals where the energy of the water is used to pump it onto fields higher than canal level or to generate electricity; environmental fluid dynamics to predict scour around bridge piers and offshore structures; transport and mixing of scalars in turbulent flows; mathematical modelling of open channel morphodynamics; and development of pioneering techniques in experimental fluid mechanics.
    • International Centre for Eco-hydraulics Research (ICER): We conduct innovative cross-disciplinary research to quantify the potential environmental impacts of water and energy infrastructure in aquatic habitats, focusing primarily on sustainable fisheries management. We utilise both our own facilities and larger-scale field studies to quantify the response of fish to hydrodynamic and other environmental stimuli (such as acoustics and light) created by anthropogenic structures and activities.

    More information on these three research areas can be found using the above links, including information such as news, facilities, videos, resources and detailed projects and publications.

    You can also explore our selected projects and publications. If you are considering doing an MSc or PhD with us, investigate our postgraduate opportunities.  

    If you are considering doing a PhD in one of our research areas, please contact:

    Masters level - taught programmes  

    The complete list Masters level courses on offer can be found in our Course finder (filtered by “Civil Engineering”). However, we offer taught MSc programmes where students can choose modules in water and environmental engineering. These include (but may not be limited to):  

    People, projects, publications and PhDs

    People

    Professor Paul Kemp

    Professor of Ecological Engineering
    Connect with Paul

    Dr Sergio Maldonado PhD, MSc, BSc (Eng)

    Lecturer B

    Accepting applications from PhD students

    Connect with Sergio

    Emeritus Professor Sonia Heaven

    Professorial Fellow-Research

    Research interests

    • Current research interests are in the use of biological systems for energy production, biomass production for biorefineries and pollution remediation.
    Connect with Sonia

    Miss Tararag Pincam

    Senior Research Assistant
    Connect with Tararag

    Professor Yannis Ieropoulos PhD, MIET

    Professor of Environmental Engineering

    Research interests

    • Environmental Engineering;
    • Bioelectrochemistry;
    • Autonomous Bio-Robotics;

    Accepting applications from PhD students

    Connect with Yannis

    Mr Yi Wang

    Connect with Yi

    Dr Yongqiang Liu

    Associate Professor

    Research interests

    • Municipal and industrial wastewater treatment 
    • Biofilm 
    • Anaerobic digestion 

    Accepting applications from PhD students

    Connect with Yongqiang

    Dr Yue Zhang

    Associate Professor

    Research interests

    • Anaerobic digestion (AD) for organic waste management and renewable energy production, especially optimisation of digestion process e.g. via selective trace element supplementation, and manipulation of microbially-mediated pathways methanogenesis
    • Mixed-culture fermentation for bio-based chemical production with integration of downstream recovery processes, especially on selective carboxylic acid production from protein-rich wastes
    • CO2 biomethanisation, especially in-situ hydrogen addition new project to be created
    Connect with Yue

    Connect with us

    Get in touch

    We welcome enquiries

    Water and Environmental Engineering  Group

    B178, Boldrewood Campus  

    University of Southampton SO16 7QF