National Centre for Atmospheric Science Strategy 2025-2030

The National Centre for Atmospheric Science is a global leader in atmospheric research and innovation.

The National Centre for Atmospheric Science is a global leader in atmospheric research and innovation.

We work to understand our atmosphere by examining the past, observing the present, and predicting the future.

The atmosphere is essential to life on Earth.

The atmosphere protects us from the sun’s harmful radiation, regulates climate, and drives the weather we experience every day.

As a critical component of the Earth system, we need to understand the atmosphere and its interactions with land, oceans, ice, and life on Earth.

More than ever, we are aware of the relationship between society and the atmosphere, and its defining role in the future of our planet.

Unprecedented climate records, extreme weather, and threats to the air we breathe serve as stark and growing reminders of the changing atmosphere in the UK and around the world.

The next five years of research and innovation in atmospheric science are critical, as we collectively address many pressing environmental challenges.

Understand the past, observe the present, predict the future

Our Strategy 2025-2030 establishes our commitment to understanding the changing atmosphere to help society prepare for the challenges and opportunities ahead. As trusted independent researchers and innovators, we will ensure that science informs robust decision-making and leads to real-world solutions for people in the UK and beyond. Together, our purpose is to deliver meaningful research, challenge the frontiers of scientific understanding, and respond to emerging issues.

Our Vision & Mission

Our research, skills and infrastructure enable the atmospheric science community to understand the past and observe the present, in order to predict the future.

To unlock the answers to climate change, high-risk weather and air pollution, we prioritise support and respect for our staff, inclusive leadership, equitable partnerships, engaging communications, an inclusive research culture, and environmentally responsible action.

Our Vision

Advance the understanding of our changing environment and enable society to adapt for the future

Our Mission

Create cutting-edge scientific insights, develop new and sustainable research techniques, and empower people to drive innovative and ethical environmental solutions

Our Purpose

Since 2002, we have grown in our role as an independent research centre. Today we hold a leading, and unique, role in addressing global environmental challenges.

We seek to understand our atmosphere, how it is changing, and how it impacts our global environment, our health, and our prosperity. Our research, skills and infrastructure lead to climate change resilience, clean air solutions, and early-warning systems for high-risk weather.

We provide the UK with the knowledge and expertise to remain at the forefront of atmospheric science, which underpins environmental solutions, sustainability, health and prosperity, and informs decisions in government, industry, and civil society.

Our community of staff drives science forward as an integrated multidisciplinary team. Our research scientists, data analysts, technologists, and support specialists carry out globally recognised research, develop new tools and capabilities, and enable access to high quality data, services, facilities, and scientific training.

We fulfil our purpose as a partner of the Natural Environment Research Council and UK Research and Innovation. We are a research consortium of universities and associated organisations, working in coordination with a wide range of national and international partners.

Orange sunset with dark grey clouds in sky above sandy, brown grass with trees and bushes.

Our Priorities

Our Science

Our priority is to advance atmospheric science by engaging in world-leading research and bringing together expertise from across disciplines.

Our work spans all scales to study the processes and interactions that control the weather, the quality of the air we breathe, and our climate.

From detecting microscopic cloud droplets to forecasting damaging storms, quantifying complex chemistry in laboratories to identifying new sources of regional air pollution, and observing influences of local weather to modelling global climate change.

We continually adapt our research, and leverage the latest technologies, as new priorities emerge.

Our science delivery programmes are:

Climate and global change

We advance understanding of the climate system and its interactions with society, using cutting-edge modelling and data science to inform pressing decisions on climate change mitigation, adaptation, and risk. Our research supports responses at global and regional scales – spanning weather extremes, atmospheric composition, and long-term climate futures.

Weather science

We support the development of accurate, trusted weather prediction to help society manage risk, build resilience, and seize opportunities in a changing world. By advancing understanding of weather systems and their interactions, from the boundary layer where we live to global-scale dynamics, we improve forecasts of high-impact weather and support decision-making across timescales.

Air pollution

We conduct cutting-edge research to understand and tackle evolving air pollution challenges, from emerging pollutants and indoor air quality to the changing chemistry of the atmosphere. By combining advanced observations, state-of-the-art models, and cross-sector partnerships, we inform effective policies for healthier environments for all.

Digital atmosphere

We integrate physical and data-driven approaches, aiming to deliver faster, more accurate insights into weather, climate, and air quality. By exploiting state of the art technologies, including artificial intelligence, we support innovation, resilience, and informed action across society.

Scientific training

We equip the next generation with the essential skills needed for impactful careers, offering a portfolio of high-quality, future-focused training. Through expert-led courses, doctoral partnerships, and innovative teaching methods, we support the science community while addressing national and international skills needed in science.

Person with short hair wearing orange top sits in laboratory space. They reach up towards a large yellow scientific instrument, where two opposing measurement probes face each other.

World-leading capabilities

Our science capabilities are built on a dynamic combination of tools, technology, data, services, and skills – demonstrating that world-leading research relies not just on infrastructure, but on people and knowledge that drive it forward.

We enable the UK to stay at the forefront of atmospheric research by delivering robust support for experimental campaigns, bespoke measurement and modelling solutions, extensive data archives, and by developing and adopting emergent technologies.

Our science capabilities include:

In-flight atmospheric measurements

Our FAAM Airborne Laboratory operates a specially adapted research aircraft, equipped with cutting-edge instrumentation.

Ground-based atmospheric measurements

Our Atmospheric Measurement and Observation Facility provides a comprehensive suite of mobile and fixed-site instrumentation and observatories.

Long term observations

We operate a network of observatories in the UK and worldwide, and support the curation of globally relevant datasets.

Experimental facilities

We support unique laboratory facilities and state-of-the-art instrumentation to support atmospheric research.

Data and digital infrastructure

We support access to a wide range of data and digital facilities, including high-performance computing, for data management and advanced computational modelling development.

Our People

People are at the heart of our organisation - the UK’s strength in atmospheric science is built on their knowledge, skills, commitment, flexibility, and diversity. Without them, progress would not be possible.

We are committed to developing the skills of current and future atmospheric and environmental scientists, and those who support and enable our science.

We recognise the developments of the past and acknowledge the contributions of everyone in our teams, we invest in the scientists of today, and nurture the talent of the future.

We foster an environment where people are empowered to contribute fully and advance the frontiers of science and technology together.

Values-based leadership and framework of commitments

Our values-based leadership and framework of commitments ensure that we support our staff, partners, and the wider science community.

We believe that diversity drives innovation, expands the talent pool, and strengthens our collective impact.

Our Impact

Our priority is to empower people to drive knowledge creation and deliver innovative environmental solutions, guided by world-leading scientific insights and methods.

We think beyond the boundaries of atmospheric research, applying our expertise to support businesses and policymakers, for the benefit of society. With a responsive and forward-thinking approach, we provide critical insights that inform decisions when they matter most.

Scientific discovery and its application thrive on collaboration. The evolution of atmospheric science, and our response to today’s environmental challenges, depend on experts who work together and communicate openly, sharing knowledge and practices beyond the traditional research community.

We make all this possible through research partnerships, peer reviews, conferences, policy workshops, joint projects, business collaborations, apprenticeships, media engagement, and inspiring the next generation.

A man looks towards two computer screens with weather forecasting information on them. Two men stand in the background.

Open science and independent advice

Through our open science approach, we ensure that scientific advancements benefit everyone. This not only enhances research impact but also drives real-world efficiencies, reducing financial costs and environmental impacts, by coordinating efforts across the UK and globally.

As a trusted partner and independent source of advice, we ensure that national and international conversations and decisions are rooted in robust evidence. Effective communication is embedded in everything we do.

NCAS Strategy 2025 - 2030

Leading atmospheric science in a changing world