Editorial: Challenging hydrological theory and practice

Abstract

In September 2014, the 12th British Hydrological Society (BHS) National Symposium was held at the University of Birmingham. The BHS brings together academics, researchers and practitioners (regulators and industry) to target critical hydrological issues of national and international significance. The meeting celebrated these strengths with close to 200 participants converging onto campus to challenge current hydrological theory and practice. The meeting explored how the hydrological community can instigate transformative shifts in our conceptualisation and representation of hydrological systems and process interactions and explore new enabling technologies to promote such advances. Presentations and discussions centred around how current theory and practice is challenged by the increasing complexity of multiple environmental pressures and interactions, and how technological innovation and conceptual advancements may be combined to meet increasing societal demands. The symposium recognised the importance of interdisciplinary hydrological research across the sciences and social sciences to target issues of direct relevance to society and environmental sustainability, and the need to effectively engage with and inform decision makers to maximise the exchange and impact of new knowledge. Bi-directional feedbacks and …