Research and Innovation

Using science, data and new ideas to drive better outcomes for rivers

Healthy rivers don’t happen by chance. They are the result of careful research, robust data, and innovative approaches that work with nature. 

At the South East Rivers Trust, research and innovation sit at the heart of everything we do. By combining scientific evidence with practical experience on the ground, we design solutions that restore rivers, support communities, and stand the test of time. 

Why research and innovation matter

Rivers are complex, living systems. To restore them effectively, we need to understand how water, land, wildlife and people interact across an entire catchment. 

Evidence shows that many of the most effective solutions—such as natural flood management—work by restoring natural processes, helping rivers function as they should.  

At the same time, national data highlights the urgency of this work. No river in England currently meets good overall health standards, underlining the need for smarter, evidence-led action.  

That’s why we invest in research and innovation: to ensure every project delivers meaningful, measurable change. 

How we use data to guide action

We take a data-led approach at every stage of our work. 

• Monitoring river health – collecting data on water quality, habitats and wildlife

• Understanding pressures – identifying pollution, abstraction and physical barriers

• Targeting solutions – using evidence to prioritise where action will have the greatest impact

• Measuring success – tracking improvements over time to ensure long-term benefits 

Tools developed across the Rivers Trust movement help standardise monitoring and evaluation, building a strong national evidence base for river restoration.  

This means we’re not just restoring rivers—we’re continuously learning and improving how we do it. 

Innovation in river restoration

Innovation is about finding better ways to work with nature. 

Across our projects, we apply and test approaches such as: 

• Nature-based solutions – including wetlands, leaky barriers and reconnected floodplains

• Catchment-scale thinking – tackling issues upstream to benefit rivers downstream

• Sustainable land management – working with farmers and landowners to improve soil, water and biodiversity 

• Urban innovation – using green infrastructure like rain gardens and SuDS to reduce pollution and flooding 

These approaches don’t just benefit rivers. They also support climate resilience, improve water availability, and create healthier places for people and wildlife. 

Research shows that nature-based solutions can deliver multiple benefits—from reducing flood risk to improving wellbeing and biodiversity. 

Turning evidence into real-world impact

We don’t just generate knowledge—we apply it. 

Our team works closely with partners including universities, government agencies, landowners and communities to turn research into practical action. 

This includes: 

• Piloting new techniques and adapting them to local conditions 

• Sharing learning across catchments and projects 

• Contributing to national research and evidence programmes 

• Supporting innovation in funding and delivery models for river restoration  

By bridging the gap between science and practice, we help ensure that innovation leads to real, lasting improvements for rivers.

Looking ahead

As climate change, population growth and water demand continue to put pressure on rivers, the need for innovation has never been greater. 

We are committed to: 

• Strengthening the evidence base for river restoration 

• Scaling up solutions that we know work 

• Exploring new technologies and approaches 

• Empowering communities to be part of the solution 

Because when research and innovation guide our actions, we can create rivers that are cleaner, more resilient, and full of life—for everyone.