Emeritus Professor of Water and Environmental Engineering
Roger A. Falconer is an Emeritus Professor of Water & Environmental Engineering with over 45 years of expertise in water science, hydro-environmental research, and environmental management. He has held prominent positions at Cardiff University, Hohai University, and multiple global institutions. His work involves developing computational models, advising governments, and leading large-scale tidal energy projects. Roger has published over 500 papers, supervised more than 70 PhD students, and delivered numerous keynote lectures worldwide. His contributions have significantly advanced water quality management, flood resilience, and renewable energy solutions globally.
Professional Profile
Google Scholar | Scopus
Education
Roger A. Falconer completed his Ph.D. from Imperial College, University of London, specializing in environmental hydraulics. He pursued his M.S. at the University of Washington, USA, and earned his B.Sc. in Engineering from King’s College, University of London. He further obtained advanced engineering qualifications, including a DSc(Eng) from the University of London and a DEng from the University of Birmingham. His extensive academic foundation in civil, hydraulic, and environmental engineering has enabled him to become one of the leading experts in hydro-environmental research and its applications to sustainable water management worldwide.
Professional Experience
Roger A. Falconer has served as Emeritus Professor at Cardiff University and Chair Professor at Hohai University. He has led globally recognized research centers, including the Hydro-environmental Research Centre, and directed multi-million-pound projects on tidal energy, river basin management, and water quality enhancement. He has acted as a consultant on over 100 hydro-environmental impact assessments and served on numerous government panels and scientific advisory boards. Falconer’s professional career includes significant leadership in academia, pioneering computational water modeling, and establishing collaborations with industries and policymakers to advance sustainable environmental solutions.
Research Interest
Roger A. Falconer’s research interests focus on hydro-environmental modeling, tidal energy systems, flood risk management, water quality, and global water security. His work emphasizes applying computational techniques to address complex challenges in river, estuarine, and coastal basin dynamics. Falconer has developed widely used models such as DIVAST and TRIVAST, supporting more than 60 academic institutions and consulting firms. He actively promotes international collaboration in water engineering, advancing innovative approaches to climate resilience, renewable energy, and environmental sustainability while providing expertise to governments and organizations worldwide.
Award And Honor
Roger A. Falconer has received numerous prestigious awards, including the RAEng Silver Medal, IAHR Arthur Thomas Ippen Award, and the Chinese Government Friendship Award, which is the highest recognition for foreign experts. He has also been elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, the European Academy of Sciences, and the Learned Society of Wales. Falconer’s leadership within the International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research earned him an Honorary Fellowship. His outstanding contributions have been widely acknowledged across academic, governmental, and industrial sectors globally.
Research Skill
Roger A. Falconer demonstrates exceptional research skills in computational modeling, environmental hydraulics, tidal energy design, and integrated water resource management. His expertise lies in developing innovative hydro-environmental tools for predicting water flow, quality, and sediment transport processes. Falconer has successfully supervised over 70 Ph.D. candidates and collaborated on more than 120 international conferences. His ability to translate research into practical solutions has supported industries, governments, and communities in managing flood risks, improving water systems, and adopting sustainable renewable energy technologies globally.
Publications
Roger A. Falconer has authored and co-authored over 500 journal and conference papers, along with book chapters and technical reports on water engineering and environmental management. His publications cover diverse areas, including computational hydrodynamics, tidal lagoon systems, flood risk reduction, and hydro-environmental modeling. His work is highly cited, with significant recognition on Google Scholar, Scopus, and ResearchGate. Falconer’s impactful research outputs have influenced policy decisions, advanced scientific understanding, and provided practical solutions to pressing environmental and engineering challenges worldwide.
Title: Benchmarking 2D hydraulic models for urban flooding
Authors: NM Hunter, PD Bates, S Neelz, G Pender, I Villanueva, NG Wright, ...
Journal: Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Water Management 161 (1), 2008
Title: Longitudinal dispersion coefficients in natural channels
Authors: SM Kashefipour, RA Falconer
Journal: Water Research 36 (6), 1596-1608, 2002
Title: Tidal range energy resource and optimization–Past perspectives and future challenges
Authors: SP Neill, A Angeloudis, PE Robins, I Walkington, SL Ward, I Masters, ...
Journal: Renewable Energy 127 (November), 763-778, 2018
Title: Modelling dam-break flows over mobile beds using a 2D coupled approach
Authors: J Xia, B Lin, RA Falconer, G Wang
Journal: Advances in Water Resources 33 (2), 171-183, 2010
Title: New criterion for the stability of a human body in floodwaters
Authors: J Xia, RA Falconer, Y Wang, X Xiao
Journal: Journal of Hydraulic Research 52 (1), 93-104, 2014
Title: A review of the potential water quality impacts of tidal renewable energy systems
Authors: M Kadiri, R Ahmadian, B Bockelmann-Evans, W Rauen, R Falconer
Journal: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 16 (1), 329-341, 2012
Conclusion
Roger A. Falconer is an internationally renowned expert in water and environmental engineering, with decades of experience driving innovation in hydro-environmental research, policy advisory, and renewable energy solutions. His pioneering contributions in computational modeling, tidal energy systems, and global water security have shaped sustainable development strategies worldwide. Through extensive publications, leadership roles, and collaboration with governments and industries, Falconer continues to influence scientific advancements and practical applications. His outstanding achievements demonstrate his dedication to solving critical environmental challenges and promoting sustainable resource management.