Caroline Hazlewood
Dr Caroline Hazlewood leads HR Wallingford’s Water and Climate division, shaping research, innovation and resilient solutions across flood risk, water resources and climate challenges.
Biography
Caroline is Director of Water and Climate at HR Wallingford and a Chartered Civil Engineer specialising in hydraulics and flood risk. A Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, she joined HR Wallingford in 2002 and has built a career at the forefront of research, modelling and strategic flood risk management.
Her early research focused on improving the estimation of roughness and water levels in rivers, underpinning the Environment Agency’s Conveyance Estimation System and contributing to industry‑standard hydrodynamic modelling tools. These methods are detailed in the textbook Practical Channel Hydraulics (2nd edition) and remain widely applied in professional practice.
Caroline later led major hydraulic modelling studies across local, regional and national scales, supporting long‑term planning for sustainable flood risk management under climate and socio‑economic change. She has also helped translate international best practice to other regions, most recently advising on Hong Kong’s strategic flood management study.
Caroline became Water Group Manager in 2013, overseeing work in water resources, environment and international development. She was appointed Floods Group Manager in 2016, leading a 40‑strong team working in flood risk management. These teams were subsequently merged to form today’s Water and Climate Division, which she now leads.
Caroline contributes widely to the profession. She is an Editorial Board Member for the Journal of Flood Risk Management and serves on CIWEM’s Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Specialist Panel. She has previously served on Bristol University’s Industrial Advisory Board (2014-2024), the ICE Water Board (2006–2010), and the IAHR UK Division (2003–2010).
Get to know Caroline
What led you to join HR Wallingford?
After completing my studies at the University of Cape Town, I was keen to broaden my experience and work internationally in hydrology, hydraulics and flood risk. HR Wallingford offered the opportunity to work on complex, applied research and consultancy projects while continuing to develop technically. I was also supported to complete a PhD through our Affiliated Research Centre scheme with the Open University, which strengthened my early career and research foundations.
What does your role involve?
As Director of Water and Climate, I lead a division that delivers consultancy and research across flood risk management, flood forecasting, catchment and drainage modelling, water resources, international development, reservoirs and smart data solutions.
While my technical background remains valuable, my role today is centred on strategic leadership, setting direction, supporting our people, strengthening operations, shaping markets and partnerships, and ensuring we remain at the forefront of research and innovation.
Recruitment and talent development are key parts of my job. Keeping people motivated, supported and able to grow is essential to building a strong, sustainable business. My message to early career engineers and scientists is simple: if you’re passionate about applied research and collaborative problem solving, come and talk to us.
Our work turns complex hydrology and data into decisions that help communities thrive. Leading talented, curious people is the most rewarding part of my job.
What new opportunities do you see in your sector?
Big data continues to open new possibilities, particularly through satellite and earth observation technologies. The challenge is turning data into meaningful, actionable insight for decision makers. Our award winning DAMSAT and D MOSS projects show how these approaches can transform risk management.
Climate change remains a major driver of future work. Flooding and drought are both increasing in frequency and severity, making our expertise essential to developing resilient solutions. The RAIN platform in Northamptonshire is a good example of how integrated modelling can support local authorities in planning for these challenges.
We’re also seeing growing interest in nature based and sustainable drainage solutions. Through Ofwat’s Innovation Fund, we are working with Southern Water on a National SuDS Platform and with Wessex Water on a Rainwater Platform, both highlighting the role of innovation in shaping future water management.
What do people need to know about working here?
Opportunity is a big part of HR Wallingford’s culture. If you’re motivated and interested in a particular area, we will try to create space for you to develop. Our teams bring together engineers, scientists, data analysts, developers, mathematicians and many other disciplines. We value collaboration, and we make time for team building, whether that’s away days, sports events or slightly chaotic engineering challenges like spaghetti and marshmallow towers and our recent egg drop competition.
What do you enjoy doing outside work?
My hobbies revolve around caring for animals and anything active; when I’m not at work, I’m usually on a squash court.