Increasing the impact of NERC science in Environmental Monitoring by accelerating research outputs and informing future science direction and funding.

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Communication is a two way process, built around dialogue – expressing andlistening. The importance of the latter is often underplayed; when I worked asan outdoor pursuits instructor I was trained in active listening to assist inpersonal development. These skills I still find valuable as they not onlyproduce fruitful conversations, but they also help me pitch information I want topass on in the most appropriate way.I have also had considerable training in presentation; I am a qualified schoolteacher and was a full time university lecturer (I still teach modules in MSccourses to engineers and informatics students at Lancaster University). I havemade countless presentations at conferences and meetings, including invitedand sponsored lectures such as the Stapledon lecture (see CV). I amcomfortable speaking to groups of different sizes from a large lecture theatredown to discussions with individuals.Of course not all communication is verbal and I have a range of skillsnecessary for KE including writing (in both academic literature and morepopular journals), electronic output (e-mail, web pages and wiki) and film (for television and the web). I understand the importance of matching the form andquality of presentation to the audience in order to achieve a desired objective.Although my work has been predominantly with academics and people fromgovernment departments and agencies I have lead projects with individualsfrom SME (e.g. linking environmental Input Output statistics to carbonfootprinting with Smallworld Consulting) to chairing a review panel for theInternational Atomic Energy Agency of the United Nations.I am involved in a number of networks and special interest groups, being afounder member of the Northwest Tidal Energy Group (NWTEG) and active inthe early stages of the National Energy Research Network (NERN) and Joule Forum. I find these valuable in meeting a broad range of stakeholders and eliciting different perspectives. Contacts vary between national and multinationalcompanies such as Shell and Peel Holdings down to individuals andmembers of SME. I have links to a number of Government departments andPage 4 of 8 agencies including DEFRA, DECC, BIS, JNCC, NE, EA, SNH, CCW, etc.Since the 1980s I have been involved in organising meetings and conferencesand I am aware of the administrative support needed for success. I havechaired and presented at a number of meetings.Finally, I have worked on a number of EC funded projects (such as ExternE)which have involved both different disciplines and nationalities.Communication is not always easy and misunderstandings can arise from the silliest of causes, but with effort the rewards are enormous.