Timothy Foster

Dr. Timothy Foster is a Reader in Water-Food Security at the University of Manchester's Department of Civil Engineering & Management, affiliated with the Global Development Institute. He leads the Agriculture, Water and Climate (AWC) Research Group. Previously, he was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Nebraska's Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Institute. He holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Hydrology from Imperial College London, and a B.Sc. in Physical Geography from University College London.

His research focuses on evaluating feedbacks between agricultural production and environmental change, with a particular emphasis on water resources and climate resilience. Interdisciplinary approaches combine hydrology, agronomy, remote sensing, and policy analysis. Current projects span North America, Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, and South Asia, collaborating with international agencies like the FAO and CGIAR.

Teaching includes courses on Water Resource Planning and Management, and Environmental Assessment. He actively mentors students and researchers through scholarships like the University of Manchester PhD Scholarships and Commonwealth Scholarships. His work aligns with UN SDGs, particularly addressing sustainable water management and climate adaptation.

Key projects include the Centre for Crisis Studies and Mitigation, weather index-based crop insurance in India, and resilient water systems in Ghana. He contributes to policy development through findings applied in rural development and climate adaptation strategies.