Author interview: Mark Robinson and Roy Ward, authors of Hydrology: Principles and Processes
Yourself – what are your particular areas of expertise?
The two co-authors combine their extensive experiences in academic research and university teaching to provide an authoritative, but accessible text. They worked together on an earlier hydrology textbook, Principles of Hydrology, and in this new venture they develop the theme of the critical need for a sound understanding of the basic principles and processes of hydrology by geographers and other earth and environmental scientists as well as engineering students.
What you would say is the most unique feature of your book, Hydrology: Principles and Processes?
The book offers a balanced and accessible text which equips the undergraduate, postgraduate and professional, in a clear, structured and largely non-mathematical way, with a thorough understanding of the principles and processes of physical and environmental hydrology. Each chapter concludes with a series of review questions, which may be used both to help their reader check their understanding and as a basis for further reading.
Who would you like to reach with your book? Tell us about your target audience and what you aim to achieve with Hydrology: Principles and Processes.
Students in a variety of disciplines, including engineering, who will benefit from a clearer understanding of the role of water in the environment. The book draws on a wide range of real-world examples, and is intended to be equally useful in a wide variety of climates and geographical locations. It will be of direct relevance to geographers, earth and environmental scientists and engineers.
Your year in events – the conferences you have attended and plan to attend this year, which events inspire you? Which conference do you feel has been/will be most important this year?
There have been many inspiring science meetings and conferences during the year, but particularly notable are those organised by the International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS) and the British Hydrological Society (BHS). Memorable aspects have included the recent BHS meeting on Understanding Past Droughts to Inform Decision Making, and the growing interest in Natural Flood Management.
Your next project – do you aim to build on the work you did for Hydrology: Principles and Processes, or work within a different area?
Our immediate short-term plan is to take a rest from writing! But longer term we will maintain our interest in helping the growing awareness of the importance of understanding the role of water in the environment, and particular its excesses – floods and droughts. Management policy in these areas must be evidence-based, and that depends upon a thorough understanding of the underlying principles and processes of hydrology.
Hydrology: Principles and Processes is a comprehensive and up-to-date work, covering the main hydrological components of the water cycle. It will be available in February 2017.
To find out more about this publication, click here.