The resilience of traditionally constructed buildings to flooding

Do you have professional or academic experience in flooding, flood risk management, and the built environment? Would you like to contribute to research on flood resilience in England?

Flooding is becoming more frequent in the UK and causes serious damage to homes, communities, and buildings of historic value. Traditionally constructed buildings are often more vulnerable to surface water flooding, yet there is still limited understanding of how resilient these buildings are and how they respond before, during, and after flood events. Improving flood resilience is important to reduce damage, support recovery, and protect heritage in a changing climate.

The aim of this study is to gain professional insight into the surface water flood resilience of traditionally constructed buildings in England. It seeks to identify the key factors that influence how these buildings cope with flooding and recover afterwards. The findings will help support clearer, evidence-based guidance and future research to assist those responsible for managing, repairing, and adapting historic buildings at risk of flooding.

We are looking for volunteers, to take part in a research questionnaire and/or interview about surface water flood resilience of traditionally constructed buildings in England. Participants should have professional experience related to flooding, flood risk management and the built environment.

This research has been commissioned by Historic England and is being undertaken by Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU).

Help shape future guidance for flood resilience in historic buildings!

Who can take part

To take part in this study, you must:

  • be aged 18 or over
  • have professional or academic experience related to:
    • flooding
    • flood risk management
    • the built environment
    • heritage or conservation
    • engineering
    • surveying
    • policy
    • technical advisory work
    • another relevant field linked to flooding and buildings

You must also be willing to take part in an online interview conducted in English.

What is required of you in order to take part in the interviews

If you agree to take part, you will complete an online interview via Microsoft Teams lasting approximately 60 minutes, arranged at a time convenient to you.

The interview will focus on your professional views and experience relating to surface water flood resilience in traditionally constructed buildings in England.

You will not be asked to share confidential, commercially sensitive, or personal information.

All information you provide will be handled confidentially and anonymised in research outputs wherever possible. Participation is entirely voluntary. You may pause, skip questions, stop the interview, or withdraw at any time.

What is required of you in order to take part in the questionnaire

If you agree to take part in the questionnaire, you will be asked to complete an online survey exploring professional perspectives on the flood resilience of traditionally constructed buildings in England.

The questionnaire takes approximately 10–15 minutes to complete.

Participation is entirely voluntary. You may skip questions or stop completing the questionnaire at any time before submission.

All information provided will be treated confidentially and analysed anonymously wherever possible.

Further information

To find out more about this study, please read the relevant Participant Information Sheet for the activity you are interested in:

How to take part

Option 1: Complete the online questionnaire

Online questionnaire

Research Ethics Committee Reference Number: 260512LJMUREC600

Option 2: Participate in an online interview

If you are interested in participating or would like further information, please contact the research team.

Project email: TBFR@ljmu.ac.uk

When contacting the team, please briefly outline your professional or academic background and your experience related to flooding, flood risk management, the built environment, heritage, or a related field.

A member of the research team will then be in touch to provide further information and arrange an interview at a convenient time.

Research Ethics Committee Reference Number: 260226LJMUREC397

Research team

Principal Investigator: Dr Sarah Percival
Research Assistant: Deelaram Nangir
LJMU email address: S.E.Percival@ljmu.ac.uk or d.nangir@ljmu.ac.uk
School: Biological and Environmental Sciences
LJMU central telephone number: 0151 231 2121