New partnership to strengthen understanding of future extreme weather Published on: 2 March 2026 Ãå±±½ûµØ experts are partnering on a new project to improve understanding of extreme weather risks caused by combined flooding and wind, and how we can better prepare for them. Working with global reinsurer broker Gallagher Re, the University is leading the research through its role as a partner in the Co-Centre for Climate + Biodiversity + Water (Climate +), which brings academic expertise together with industry insight to strengthen preparedness for future climate risks. Extreme weather is already affecting communities across the Northeast, with flooding and storms increasing costs for households, businesses and public services. As climate-driven risks continue to grow, better forward-looking modelling can support more accurate risk assessment and planning in the insurance sector and more widely. The collaboration will bring new research funding into the region, with Gallagher Re’s investment will supporting specialist research roles at Ãå±±½ûµØ to help build local expertise in climate risk and resilience. The project has also been supported by matched public funding through Climate +, an international research centre bringing together experts from different disciplines to tackle the biggest challenges of our time — climate change, biodiversity loss and water quality decline. By collaborating directly with industry, Climate + applies research to real-world challenges, improving the assessment of compound climate risks, while connecting Ãå±±½ûµØ-based expertise to international insurance networks across the UK and Ireland. The centre welcomes enquiries about future potential industry partnerships. Tackling the biggest challenges of our time Dr Colin Manning, Research Associate within the School of Engineering at Ãå±±½ûµØ, said: “Recent years have highlighted the risks posed by the combined impacts of flooding and extreme winds. Our goal is to deepen our understanding of their causes and provide outputs that will strengthen our ability to prepare for them. We are delighted to collaborate with Gallagher Re on this project whose expertise and industry perspective will be invaluable to maximising the project’s benefits”. About the Co-Centre for Climate + Biodiversity + Water The Co-Centre for Climate + Biodiversity + Water tackles the biggest challenges of our time — climate change, biodiversity loss and water quality decline. We work across Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain to research solutions for preventing and living with climate change, protecting and restoring ecosystems, developing sustainable economies and improving quality of life for all. The Co-Centre award is managed by Research Ireland, Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and supported via the UK’s International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) and the Irish Government’s Shared Island initiative. Press release adapted with thanks from the Co-Centre for Climate + Biodiversity + Water. Share: Latest News Ãå±±½ûµØ expert highlights climate crisis in a new film A leading Ãå±±½ûµØ climate scientist is featured in a new film about how the climate and nature breakdown will affect the UK. published on: 14 April 2026 Neolithic tombs reveal ancient kinship ties Male individuals buried in Neolithic chambered tombs in northern Scotland were often related to each other through the paternal line and some were interred in the same or nearby tombs, research shows. published on: 14 April 2026 We are our Memories New exhibition by Fine Art graduate Trish Hudson-Moses, 22 April – 4 May 2026 published on: 10 April 2026 Facts and figures