David Butler is an academic leader and research manager, and has over 30 years experience as an internationally-leading researcher, teacher and consultant in the water sector.  David is Professor of Water Engineering at the University of Exeter and an Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Established Career Research Fellow. He has a bachelor’s degree in civil & structural engineering from Cardiff University, a master’s in public health engineering and a doctorate in environmental engineering both from Imperial College London. He is a chartered civil engineer and a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Chartered Institution of Water & Environmental Management and the International Water Association. At Exeter, he is a Director of the Centre for Water Systems, formerly Associate Dean for Research in the College of Engineering, Mathematics & Physical Sciences and before that Head of the Engineering discipline in the School of Engineering, Computer Science & Mathematics.

Research Interests

He specialises in urban water management, including sustainable and resilient water systems, integration and control and water-energy-carbon interactions. David has authored / co-authored some 300 published papers, in addition to 12 books (including an internationally adopted graduate text book on Urban Drainage), published best practice guides and edited conference proceedings. His research has been funded continuously by EPSRC since 1995. He is co-editor-in-chief of the Urban Water Journal and editor-in-chief (water) of Global Challenges.