Q-NFM Project Film – Communicating Natural Flood Management Research for NERC
This film is one of a series of video projects we have produced for the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), forming part of our ongoing research video production work supporting the communciation of environmental research in a clear, engaging and accessible way. This particular video focuses on the Q-NFM (Quantifying Natural Flood Management) project and is features on The Flood Hub, a central online resource for sharing knowledge, guidance and evidence around flooding and resilience.
The purpose of the film is to help audiences understand how Natural Flood Management (NFM) can contribute to reducing flood risk and how researchers are working to quantify its impact across large catchments. By combining expert insights with location-based filming, the video supports The Flood Hub’s aim of making complex research understandable and useful for a wide range of users.
About the Q-NFM Project
Natural Flood Management uses natural processes, such as restoring rivers, reconnecting floodplains and managing land to slow the flow of water, to help reduce flood risk downstream. While these approaches are increasingly recognised as valuable, measuring their effectiveness at scale remains a significant challenge.
The Q-NFM project addresses this challenge by developing methods to quantify the likely magnitude of flood mitigation effects delivered by NFM interventions across entire catchments. Rather than focusing solely on individual features or sites, the research looks at how multiple interventions interact across landscapes, providing evidence that can inform future flood management strategies. Projects like this demonstrate the important role research video production plays in translating scientific findings into practical understanding
The findings of the project are particularly relevant to those involved in flood risk management, policy development and environmental planning and form an important contribution to the growing body of evidence around nature-based solutions.
Expert Perspectives from Research and Practice
The film features interviews with researchers from Lancaster University and the Environment Agency, bringing together academic research and practical application. These expert voices guide the narrative, explaining why quantifying Natural Flood Management is essential and how the research can influence real-world decision-making.
By hearing directly from those involved in the project, viewers gain insight into:
- The scientific challenges of measuring NFM at scale
- Why robust evidence is needed to support wider adoption
- How modelling and field data are combined within the project
- The role of research in shaping future flood management policy
This approach ensures the film maintains credibility while remaining accessible to a broad audience.
Filming on Location in Kendal and Surrounding Areas
Filming took place on location in Kendal and the surrounding areas, chosen for their relevance to flood risk and Natural Flood Management research. Shooting in real landscapes was central to grounding the research in reality, helping viewers visualise how catchments function and how natural processes influence water movement.
The film includes a mix of:
- Interviews filmed in relevant outdoor and environmental settings
- Landscape footage showing rivers, valleys and surrounding land
- Contextual B-roll that visually supports the research discussion
These visuals help translate complex concepts into tangible, real-world examples that support the explanations given by the researchers.
Our Approach to Environmental Research Films
When producing films for organisations such as NERC, our focus is always on clarity, accuracy and narrative structure. Environmental research can be complex, so our role is to help distil key messages without oversimplifying the science.
For the Q-NFM project film, this meant:
Structuring the film to build understanding gradually
Using visuals to reinforce technical explanations
Allowing experts to speak in their own words
Maintaining a neutral, evidence-based tone throughout
The result is a film that works equally well for specialist audiences and those new to the topic of Natural Flood Management.
Supporting Knowledge Sharing
The film is hosted on The Flood Hub, where it supports wider efforts to share evidence and best practice around flooding and resilience. By featuring the video alongside written resources. The Flood Hub provides users with multiple ways to engage with research findings.
The film helps:
Improve understanding of Natural Flood Management
Support knowledge exchange between researchers and practitioners
Provide visual context for written guidance and data
Increase engagement with complex scientific material
This project is a strong example of how research video production can support knowledge exchange between researchers and practitioners.
Ongoing Collaboration with NERC
This project forms part of our ongoing work with NERC, producing films that help maximise the impact of environmental research. Each project is tailored to its subject matter and audience, ensuring research outputs are communicated effectively and responsibly.
The Q-NFM film demonstrates how video can play a vital role in translating research into practical understanding, supporting better decision-making and wider awareness of nature-based approaches to flood management.
To see more of our research video production work view our portfolio.