Breaking Ground: Investigating Soil Aeration as a Natural Flood Management Strategy

PGR-F-473

Key facts

Deadline: Monday 2 November 2026
Funding start date: Monday 1 February 2027
Number of funding places: 1
Country eligibility: UK only
Source of funding: Charity
Key staff: Dr Stephanie Bond
Additional staff: Dr Megan Klaar
Schools: School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability, School of Geography

<h2 class="heading hide-accessible">Summary</h2>

Tackle real world flooding challenges with cutting edge soil science Flooding is one of the fastest-growing environmental risks worldwide, intensified by climate change and evolving land use. Communities across the UK are already facing the consequences. But what if managing soil differently could help reduce flood risk? Natural Flood Management (NFM) offers a promising, nature-based solution by working with landscapes to slow, store, and absorb water. Among the techniques gaining attention is soil aeration, a practical intervention used by land managers to reduce compaction, improve infiltration, and enhance water storage. Despite its growing adoption, there remains surprisingly little robust, real-world evidence of how effective it truly is. This Master’s by Research project puts you at the forefront of that question. Based in Calderdale, West Yorkshire, you will work within a live, practitioner-led field experiment using a Before–After–Control–Impact (BACI) design—considered one of the strongest approaches for evaluating environmental change. With baseline data already collected and aeration due to be implemented, you’ll be uniquely positioned to measure real impacts as they happen. What makes this project exciting? - Real world impact: Your findings will directly inform flood resilience strategies used by practitioners and policymakers. - Hands on fieldwork: Get out into the landscape to measure infiltration, soil compaction, and moisture dynamics using professional techniques. - Collaborative experience: Work alongside land managers and NFM practitioners, gaining insight into how science shapes decisions on the ground. - Strong employability focus: Develop skills in field methods, data analysis, and applied environmental research that are highly valued in consultancy, government, and NGOs. Your role: - Investigate how soil aeration changes key hydrological properties - Collect and analyse field data, supported by laboratory soil analysis where needed - Compare post-intervention measurements with baseline datasets to quantify effects - Produce insights that bridge the gap between academic research and practical land management Funding This Master’s by Research (MbR) project is supported by full tuition fee funding at the UK (home) rate (£5,238) alongside a £2,000 research training support grant.

Calder Rivers Trust have established a Before–After–Control–Impact (BACI) experiment in Calderdale, West Yorkshire. Baseline data have already been collected across treatment and control sites, including measurements of soil structure, infiltration, compaction and soil moisture. Aeration is scheduled for September 2026 across half of the study area, with the remaining sites retained as controls. This provides a valuable opportunity to analyse a well-designed field experiment assessing soil aeration impacts under real-world conditions. Project aims This project will critically evaluate the role of soil aeration in flood management and wider ecosystem service delivery. The successful candidate will: <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":372,"335559991":372,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="28" role="listitem"> Conduct a focused literature review of soil aeration impacts on soil hydrology and ecosystem services, considering key controls such as topography, scale, seasonality, climate, land use, soil type and antecedent conditions. </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":372,"335559991":372,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="28" role="listitem"> Undertake independent and collaborative fieldwork in Calderdale to collect post-aeration data and assess changes in soil hydrological properties (e.g. infiltration, compaction, and soil moisture), building on the existing BACI experimental design. </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":372,"335559991":372,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="28" role="listitem"> Analyse field and baseline datasets and, where appropriate, carry out laboratory analyses of soil samples (e.g. saturated hydraulic conductivity, bulk density) to support interpretation of field-based data. </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":372,"335559991":372,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="28" role="listitem"> Interpret findings in the context of natural flood management, identifying key uncertainties and implications for practice, informed by targeted engagement with regional stakeholders. </li> </ul> The student will produce an MbR thesis, alongside a set of research questions and evidence-based recommendations to guide future research and applications of soil aeration in flood management and ecosystem service delivery, with potential for academic publication. The research has the potential to generate evidence to inform flood resilience policy and land management practices, with particular relevance at regional and national scales. Research environment The successful candidate will join a dynamic and supportive research environment within the School of Geography and the internationally renowned water@leeds - one of the largest interdisciplinary centres for water research in any university worldwide. The candidate will also be linked into regional flood management networks via the <a href="https://icasp.org.uk/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Yorkshire Integrated Catchment Solutions Programme (iCASP)</a>, including the <a href="https://icasp.org.uk/projects-2-2/nfm_community_of_practice/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Yorkshire NFM community of practice</a>, and <a href="https://www.calderandcolneriverstrust.org/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Calder Rivers Trust</a>. This setting offers exceptional opportunities for academic growth and collaboration across disciplines and with industry. The project offers opportunities to develop skills in field hydrology and soil science, data analysis (e.g. Python, R), statistics, GIS, and academic writing. The candidate will receive supervision from Dr’s Steph Bond, Megan Klaar and Andy Bray, alongside support from the River Basin Processes and Management research cluster and partner organisations. Funding Sources This MbR is supported by funding from DEFRA, the Environment Agency, Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council, and Calder Rivers Trust. Student profile The student should have a keen interest in environmental issues with a background in a physical geography, environmental sciences or related discipline. Strong fieldwork, GIS, statistical and academic writing skills are desirable but not essential, as training will be provided. A driving licence would be beneficial. Please get in touch with Steph Bond (s.g.bond@leeds.ac.uk) for any informal queries. Recommended reading Applicants may find the following sources useful for understanding the context of the project: <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":360,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="29" role="listitem"> <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/0309133321997299" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Ellis, N. et al (2021) Mainstreaming natural flood management: A proposed research framework derived from a critical evaluation of current knowledge. Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment, 45, pp. 819–841.</a> </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":360,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="29" role="listitem"> <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67c6e14c68a61757838d2265/FRS21232_Research_report.pdf" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Pearson, E. et al. (2025) Working with natural processes: Evidence directory update. In: Foley, J., Heron, E. & Hine, D. (eds.) FRS21232/RR. Bristol: Environment Agency.</a> </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":360,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="29" role="listitem"> <a href="https://royalsociety.org/-/media/policy/projects/soil-structures/soil-structure-evidence-synthesis-report.pdf" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">The Royal Society (2020) Soil structure and its benefits: An evidence synthesis.</a> </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":360,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="29" role="listitem"> <a href="https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2019.05.0182" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Wallace, E.E. & Chappell, N.A. (2019) Blade aeration effects on near‐surface permeability and overland flow likelihood on two Stagnosol pastures in Cumbria, UK. Journal of Environmental Quality, 48, pp. 1766–1774.</a> </li> </ul>

<h2 class="heading">How to apply</h2>

To apply for this project you will need to make a <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">formal application for research degree study through the University's website</a>. You will need to create a login ID with a username and PIN. • For ‘Application type’ please select ‘Research Degrees – Research Postgraduate’. • The admission year for this project is 2026/2027 Academic Year. • You will need to select your ‘Planned Course of Study’ from a drop-down menu. For this project, scroll down and select ‘MSc by Research Geography (Physical) Full-time’ • The project start date for this project is 01/02/2027, please use this as your Proposed Start Date of Research. • Please state clearly in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is Breaking Ground: Investigating Soil Aeration as a Natural Flood Management Strategy as well as <a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/geography/staff/11181/dr-steph-bond">Dr Steph Bond</a> as your proposed supervisor. You will be required to provide a personal statement which outlines your interest in the project you are applying for, why you have chosen it and how your skills map onto the requirements of the project. If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below). As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.

<h2 class="heading heading--sm">Entry requirements</h2>

The minimum entry requirement for a  Masters by Research is a UK 2.1  honours degree or equivalent. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the PGR Admissions Team prior to making an application.

<h2 class="heading heading--sm">English language requirements</h2>

The minimum English language entry requirement for postgraduate research study in the School of Geography is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid.

<h2 class="heading">Contact details</h2>

For further information about your application, please contact the PGR Admissions Team on <a href="mailto:ENV-PGR@leeds.ac.uk">ENV-PGR@leeds.ac.uk</a> For further information about this project, please contact Dr Steph Bond by emailing on <a href="mailto:S.G.Bond@leeds.ac.uk">S.G.Bond@leeds.ac.uk</a>

<h2 class="heading heading--sm">Linked project opportunities</h2>