Space Environment and Radio Engineering (SERENE) Group

 

The Space Environment and Radio Engineering (SERENE) research group is a multidisciplinary research group focused on understanding and addressing issues related to the space environment. The group's overarching purpose is to serve as a comprehensive resource or "one stop shop" for modelling, measuring, and mitigating the effects of the upper atmosphere and broader space environment on engineering and physical systems.

Model of the Earth’s ionosphere and thermosphere

Key areas of SERENE's research include:

  • Mathematical Modelling

    This involves various approaches to modelling the upper atmosphere and radiation belts. The methods used include empirical, physics-based, and data assimilation modelling. These models help in predicting and understanding the behaviour of the upper atmosphere and radiation belts. Our models are used by over 90 institutions in 30 countries including academia, industry and Governments (UK, USA, Canada and European Space Agency).

  • Fundamental Physics

    The group delves into the fundamental physics of the space environment, focusing on small-scale ionospheric structures and the non-linearity of the radiation belts. This research is crucial for understanding the intricate and complex behaviours in these regions and push the state-of-the-art in our modelling work.

  • Engineering

    A significant part of SERENE's work involves the design, development, and deployment of innovative technology. An example of this is the creation of a novel networked over-the-horizon radar.

  • Policy Advisory

    SERENE also plays a pivotal role in advising industry and government entities. The group provides insights into the probability, risk, and impact of extreme space weather events. This information is crucial for developing strategies and policies to mitigate potential risks associated with space weather.

Overall, SERENE integrates scientific research with practical applications, aiming to enhance our understanding of space environment phenomena and their implications on various systems, while also advising industry, governments and academia on policy and risk management in relation to extreme space weather events.

Academic Staff

Professional Services Staff

  • Hannah Chambers
  • Charlotte Frank

Research Staff

Research Software Engineers

  • Mohammad Afraz Ahmed
  • Warrick Ball
  • James Tyrrell

Research Students

We have a number of PhD students in the group, researching a wide range of topics, details of which can be found on our website.

Honorary Academic Staff

For more information about the group, our research and access to model data, please visit our research group website.