Douglas Parker

I am a Meteorologist studying the physics and fluid dynamics of the climate system. My research group investigates the dynamics of weather systems such as cumulonimbus storms, cyclones and monsoons, in the Earth’s changing climate. We conduct observational and theoretical studies to develop new models of these weather patterns, to explain their role in the the global circulation and to explain their impacts. Our work contributes to improving weather and climate predictions, and making these predictions more relevant to society. I have led and participated in a number of field campaigns, in the UK, Africa and India.

I am employed by the UK National Centre for Atmospheric Science, based at the University of Leeds. Within the University I have a joint position between the School of Earth and Environment and the School of Mathematics. From 2010 to 2019 I was responsible for the coordination of the University's formal partnership with the Met Office. I now also have an adjoint position at NORCE-Climate in Bergen.

I have led, jointly with Alan Blyth, the GCRF African SWIFT project (2017-2022), which has brought about transdisciplinary solutions to improve weather forecasts in Africa, and thereby to increase the resilience of millions of vulnerable people in the continent to high-impact weather. SWIFT was a consortium of 16 partners, including 10 African universities and agencies, with strong support from the World Meteorological Organisation.

I have played a leading role in the African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis (AMMA) programme, 2003-2019. AMMA has been the largest and most extensive multidisciplinary research programme ever conducted in Africa, and arguably the biggest programme of its kind anywhere in the world. I led AMMA-UK, as well as the AMMA Radiosonde Programme (along with Andreas Fink) and the AMMA Monsoon-Season Special Observing Periods (SOPs; together with Cyrille Flamant).

I lead transdisciplinary work to bring the benefits of weather forecasts to society. I have led and edited a textbook on weather forecasting in West Africa. "Meteorology of Tropical West Africa: The Forecasters' Handbook" is the first book of its kind, collecting together the scientific principles and practical forecasting techniques for a particular climatic region. The book has been translated into French and more than 300 copies have been distributed to the forecasting and training centres in Africa, funded by the Met Office and Météo-France.

My work has formed a significant part of the Queen’s Anniversary Prize awarded to the University of Leeds in 2021.