Professor Harry Dixon: Strengthening Global Water Science Through Birmingham Roots
Professor Harry Dixon - an alumnus whose dedication to environmental science has contributed to meaningful progress in international water and climate research.
As the University of Birmingham celebrates its 125th anniversary, we are pleased to recognise Professor Harry Dixon - an alumnus whose dedication to environmental science has contributed to meaningful progress in international water and climate research.
Harry studied both his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at Birmingham, graduating with a BSc in Geography in 2003 and a PhD in Hydrology in 2007. He has maintained close links with the University ever since, returning as a guest lecturer and, in 2018, being appointed an Honorary Professor.
Now Associate Director of International Research & Development at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), Harry helps lead work on some of the most pressing environmental issues of our time - from climate resilience to sustainable water management. He oversees international programmes and partnerships, including a recent initiative to establish UKCEH’s first overseas office in Ghana.
He also leads International Science for Net Zero Plus, a major NERC-funded programme working with countries and organisations to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change. The programme focuses on natural solutions—such as forest ecosystems—in regions including Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
Despite the scale of his work, Harry remains grounded in the values and community he first experienced at Birmingham
The University has played a central role in shaping both my career and the way I work. It gave me a strong foundation in science, but also in collaboration and partnership - ideas that remain at the heart of what I do. It’s been a real privilege to stay connected through joint research, teaching, and broader initiatives
Alongside his role at UKCEH, Harry contributes to several international science bodies, including the World Meteorological Organization and UNESCO. His involvement helped the University establish the UNESCO Chair in Water Science and a UniTwin network on Ecohydrological Interfaces - initiatives that continue to support international collaboration and societal impact.
Outside of his professional life, Harry lives in Oxford with his wife Suzy - also a Birmingham graduate - and their three young children. He still occasionally finds time to paddle, harking back to his days with the Birmingham University Kayak Club, a society that remains close to his heart.
As we mark 125 years of the University of Birmingham, we celebrate alumni like Professor Harry Dixon—whose work, grounded in Birmingham roots, continues to make a quiet but lasting contribution around the world.