Catchment Research Consultative Group

The RERAD funded Environmental Programme supports research under different objectives one of which is “Enhancing Water Quality”.  Within this theme there are two particular areas of focus – methodologies to assess water quality and management to enhance water quality.  A Catchment Research Consultative Group (CRCG) was established at the outset of these programmes of research to maximise outreach to stakeholders and end-users.

The core functions of the CRCG are:

1. To raise awareness of the research programme and its outputs with the relevant stakeholders;
2. To enable dialogue/knowledge exchange and to identify tactical opportunities for ‘synergies’ (e.g. ensuring that field sites are chosen which complement other interests; awareness and integration with other initiatives), in other words to advise on the planning and delivery of the required research outputs;
3. To provide a forum to discuss end-user needs and to facilitate technology transfer and wider stakeholder engagement and dissemination;
4. To provide information on the effectiveness of the communications from/to the research teams and evidence of where and how this has influenced stakeholder behaviour (e.g. in policy development terms, management practice).

Organisations currently represented in the CRCG include:

• Convention of Scottish Local Authorities
• Fisheries Research Services
• Forestry Commission
• National Farmers Union of Scotland
• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
• Rural and Environment Research and Analysis Directorate
• Scottish Agricultural College
• Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA)
• Scottish Natural Heritage
• Scotland and Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research (SNIFFER)
• Scottish and Southern Energy
• Scottish Water
• The UNESCO Centre for Water Law, Policy and Science

You can download information and presentations from previous meetings here - all downloads are in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format.

 
If you would like to know more about the CRCG, or are interested in becoming a member, please contact Malcolm Coull.