2014 – 2019 

Funders:
Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) 
Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) 
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) 
Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) 

Value: £493,158

Partners:  
University of West of England
University of Warwick 
University of Exeter  
CEH, Wallingford 
CEH, Penicuik, Scotland 
Harper Adams University 
University of Dundee 
University of Sheffield 
Climate Outreach and Information Network 

Website: http://dryproject.co.uk/ 

Droughts and water shortage can impact on the environment, agriculture, infrastructure, society and culture, affecting us all. The DRY project was founded in April 2014, with an aim to develop an easy-to-use, evidence-based resource to inform decision-making for drought risk management in the UK over a four-year period. 

Our project spanned seven catchment areas in England, Wales and Scotland to reflect different hydrological, socio-economic and cultural contexts in the UK. While other studies have focused on mathematical modelling of drought risk, we took a unique approach drawing together information from multiple perspectives on drought science, stakeholder engagement, citizen science and narrative storytelling to better understand drought risks.