A University of Bristol engineer whose research focuses on the impact of agriculture on water quality has been recognised in this year’s King’s New Year Honours list.
Nicholas Howden, Professor of Water and Environmental Engineering in the School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering, has been awarded an MBE for his outstanding contribution to Water Management, and Professional Education.
Nicholas has served as a Trustee of both the Field Studies Council (2008 – 2022), and the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) since 2020, serving as the 35th CIWEM President in 2021-2022. He currently Chairs CIWEM’s Professional Standards Committee that assesses professional applications for chartered status for professionals in the water and environmental industry.
Professor Howden said: “I’m deeply honoured to have been appointed MBE in the King’s New Year Honours. I’ve been privileged to work alongside committed colleagues, volunteers, and practitioners across the water and environmental sector, and I see this honour as a reflection of that collective effort.”
Professor Howden explained: “I have been fortunate to work across a variety of water and environmental fields in both academia and industry around the world, experiencing different disciplinary and cultural approaches, and to appreciate the importance of personal and collective knowledge and skills.
“Water management matters because it sits right at the intersection of people, places, and nature. Whether it’s improving water quality, managing flood and drought risk, or restoring catchments and habitats, the work is increasingly complex — and that makes professional learning and development more important than ever.
“Through CIWEM, I’ve been proud to play a part in strengthening professional standards, supporting lifelong learning, and helping create pathways that welcome and develop talent from a wider range of backgrounds.”
Professor Ian Craddock, Head of the School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering, added: “Water quality is a pressing issue for all of us, hugely exacerbated by climate change. Nicholas has been at the forefront of attracting and developing the talented professionals that the UK and the world urgently need to address future societal challenges.”
Nicholas studied civil engineering at Durham University and completed his PhD at Imperial College in London researching how surface/groundwater interactions control water quality in lowland UK rivers. He joined the University of Bristol in 2010, initially running the MSc in Water and Environmental Management, and was Graduate Dean and Faculty Education Director for the Faculty of Engineering at Bristol from 2018 to 2022.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “This year’s Honours list celebrates the very best of Britain – people who put the common good ahead of themselves to strengthen communities and change lives.
“Their quiet dedication speaks to the decent, compassionate country we are proud to be. On behalf of the whole nation, thank you – and congratulations to everyone recognised today.”