Find a Course

Use the tool below to search the range of courses that are currently available from the Walker Academy and our partner organisations.

If you can’t find a suitable course for your training needs, please let us know using the contact form at the bottom of this page. We’re always looking to improve the breadth of training that we offer based on the feedback of our learners.

  • Course duration (hours)

    5 - 100

Introduction to Numerical Modelling of the Atmosphere and Ocean

The aim of this MSc module is to familiarise the students with a range of concepts and techniques used in the numerical modelling of atmospheric and oceanic fluid flows.  This will include mathematical analysis, modelling and some good programming practices. Registration with University of Reading (via Department of Meteorology “online courses”).  Cost in 2021/2022 ~£300.

BIP-M Alignment: Mathematics, Physics, Atmospheric Dynamics,
Learning Aims By the end of this module students should be able to:

  • Derive finite difference approximations using Taylor series;
  • Explain the concept of stability and perform a basic stability analysis;
  • Implement and test the behaviour of numerical schemes using Python;
  • Recognise sources of numerical error and derive and measure order of accuracy;
  • Use Fourier series for analysing both numerical methods and climate data;
  • Use functions and loops in Python and avoid code duplication;
  • Describe various properties of numerical methods such as conservation and boundedness;
  • Collaborate on writing code in groups;
  • Design experiments to test the properties of numerical methods.
Target Audience Entry-level Scientist (beginner technical)
Continent

 

 Global
Duration

 

 41 – 100 hours
Delivery method

 

 Blended
Format (primary) Lectures, computing practical classes and written reports on practicals.
IPR Owner University of Reading
Course status Active
Contact email: Hillary Weller
< h.weller@reading.ac.uk >

 

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An Introduction to Meteorological Measurements

The lecture content covers:

  • Fundamentals of instrumentation;
  • Theory and practice of experimental data analysis;
  • Measurement techniques for air temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, pressure, rainfall, solar and terrestrial radiation and upper air sounding.

The practical content involves carrying out set experiments selected from the following:

  • Time response of a thermometer;
  • Thermometer calibration;
  • Humidity measurements;
  • Characteristics of a propeller anemometer;
  • Calibration of a radiosonde pressure element;
  • Absolute calibration of a net radiometer;
  • Ventilation effects on psychrometry.
BIP-M Alignment: Meteorological Parameters, Instruments & Methods of Observation
Learning Aims By the end of this module the student should be able to:

  • describe and critically compare the characteristics of various standard meteorological instruments used for surface and upper-air measurement of atmospheric parameters;
  • demonstrate a knowledge of experimental data analysis, including calibration and the analysis of sampling errors;
  • report the results of experimental work in an appropriate, formal style, characteristic of scientific literature.
Target Audience Entry-level Scientist (beginner technical)
Continent

 

 Global
Duration

 

 41 – 100 hours
Delivery method

 

 Blended
Format (primary) Lectures; laboratory classes, discussion classes and group experiments.
IPR Owner University of Reading
Course status Active
Contact email: Chris Scott
< chris.scott@reading.ac.uk >

 

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FRACTAL Climate Information Training (Windhoek)

Led by Climate System Analysis Group, University of Cape Town, and focusing improving climate resilience in 8 cities in South and southern Africa. One focus of the Met Office work will be to apply, and to enhance when necessary, information on, and an understanding of the processes driving, African climate variability and change in order to provide targeted information on local and regional climate on the 5-40 year timescale relevant to the cities and regions the project will engage with. A second focus will be to work closely with project staff both in the target cities and from the other collaborating institutes to engage in the iterative, transdisciplinary co-exploration/co-production activities which will define the problem areas, the various research questions and the inputs into decision-making to improve the resilience of the cities and regions to climate change over the medium term.

The Future Resilience for African Cities and Lands (FRACTAL) project has been operating in Windhoek (and 8 other cities) since 2015. The focus has been on engaging many diverse people to think through and co-generate knowledge on what decisions facing Windhoek are climate-sensitive, how the climate affecting Windhoek is changing, who has what power to act in reducing climate risks, and what is needed to put Windhoek on a more climate-resilient development pathway. Three ‘Learning Labs’ took place, focussing on decision-making exercises

Workshop sessions on ‘climate science essentials’, ‘interpreting graphs’, ‘climate change indices and terminology’, and ‘sources of climate data’

BIP-M Alignment: Climate Services
Learning Aims Not stated
Target Audience Intermediary (Informed, non-technical)
Continent

 

 Africa
Duration

 

 3 – 5 hours
Delivery method

 

 Lectures
Format (primary) Lectures
IPR Owner Met Office / FRACTAL project
Course status Dormant
Contact email: Richard Jones
< richard.jones@metoffice.gov.uk >

 

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Dengue Seasonal Training Material

Seasonal training on making decisions and understanding probabilistic projections designed for Vietnam. (English and Vietnamese versions).

The training covers four key topics:

  1. How the D-MOSS system works
  2. Interpreting forecasts and taking action
  3. Paying for Predictions (a game to experience probabilistic decision making)
  4. Understanding uncertainty and probabilities in seasonal forecasts
BIP-M Alignment: Climate Services
Learning Aims Facilitate in-country Train-the-Trainer workshops for using the D-MOSS dengue seasonal forecasting tool.
Target Audience Service User (non-technical)
Continent

 

 Asia
Duration

 

 6 – 10 hours
Delivery method

 

 Blended
Format (primary) Online course (self-led)
IPR Owner Met Office / HR Wallingford
Course status Active
Contact email: Laura Burgin
< Laura.burgin@metoffice.gov.uk >

 

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Climate Resilience – Evidence Synthesis Training (CREST)

Climate Resilience – Evidence Synthesis Training (CREST)

The training includes practical scenario-based experience of the decision-making processes that take place at every level during emergencies arising from extreme weather events such as flooding.

The focus of this training will be on the synthesis and interpretation of evidence from disciplines including climate science, livelihoods and hydrology, and the production of relevant outputs in appropriate formats, to support decision making during times of crisis.

BIP-M Alignment: Climate Services
Learning Aims
  • To support learners to effectively and critically synthesis evidence from different disciplines
  • Critically apply this interdisciplinary thinking to a real-world case study
  • Gain communication and policy brief writing skills
Target Audience Entry-level Scientist (beginner technical)
Continent

 

 Africa
Duration

 

 21 – 40 hours
Delivery method

 

 In-person
Format (primary) Lectures
IPR Owner The Walker Institute
Course status Active
Contact email: academy@walker.ac.uk

 

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Climate Services and Climate Impact Modelling

This module seeks to provide students with the scientific awareness, practical techniques and communication skills required for the provision of climate services and climate impact modelling.

The content is divided into three parts: a series of lectures outlining the scientific/technical issues associate with climate service provision; an extended technical analysis computer practical; and seminars to develop awareness of practical industrial and sectoral concerns.

BIP-M Alignment: Climate Services
Learning Aims:
  • To introduce students to the scientific principles and techniques associated with climate service provision.
  • To introduce how weather and climate information is used in key end-user sectors.  Examples may include disaster risk reduction, energy, insurance, water and transport.
  • To enable the student to independently evaluate, tailor, and communicate climate information to address specific end-user needs.
Target Audience Entry-level Scientist (beginner technical)
Continent

 

 Global
Duration

 

 41-100 hours
Delivery method

 

 Blended
Format (primary) Lectures, extensive notes, seminars, computer labs, independent work via assessments/projects
IPR Owner University of Reading
Course status Active
Contact email: David Brayshaw
< d.j.brayshaw@reading.ac.uk >

 

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BIP-M Climate (Myanmar)

A 4-week part-time online blended course, delivering the WMO’s two BIP-M 2.3.4 climatology modules. Certain topics have south-east Asia / Myanmar-specific contents. Sessions are a blend of online workbooks, practical worksheets, group activities and online tools.

BIP-M Alignment: 3.4.2 Climate variability and climate change
Learning Aims An individual achieving the learning outcomes dealing with climatology shall be able to:

  • Describe and explain the Earth’s general circulation and climate system in terms of the physical and dynamical processes that are involved, and describe the key products and services based on climate information and their inherent uncertainty and use;
  • Apply physical and dynamical reasoning to explain the mechanisms responsible for climate variability and climate change (including the influence of human activity), describe the impacts in terms of possible changes to the global circulation, primary weather elements and potential effects on society, outline the adaptation and mitigation strategies that might be applied, and describe the application of climate models.
Target Audience Entry-level Scientist (beginner technical)
Continent

 

 Asia
Duration

 

 60 hours
Delivery method

 

 Blended
Format (primary) Online course (self-led)
IPR Owner Met Office
Course status Active
Contact email: Rosanna Amato
< Rosanna.amato@metoffice.gov.uk >

 

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ARRC Seasonal Training

ARRC Seasonal Training

Seasonal forecast training for South Asia. Sessions include teleconnections, ensembles, verification (ROC / reliability scores), introduction to CPT (statistical downscaling).

BIP-M Alignment: Numerical modelling
Learning Aims How to create, verify and interpret seasonal forecasts generated using the CPT statistical downscaling tool.
Target Audience Entry-level Scientist (beginner technical)
Continent

 

 Asia
Duration

 

 11-20 hours
Delivery method

 

 In-person
Format (primary) Lectures
IPR Owner Met Office
Course status Dormant
Contact email: Tammy Janes
< tamara.janes@metoffice.gov.uk >

 

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Adaptive Social Protection Training

Adaptive Social Protection Training

The training consists of 6 sections which take learners through to a critical understanding of adaptive social protection: (1) Climate variability and change- a driving force; (2) The new normal: linking climate science to livelihoods resilience; (3) Why build resilience? What role can Social Protection policies play?; (4) Measuring livelihoods and modelling climate impacts: The Household Economy Approach (HEA) and the IDAPS platform; (5) Knowledge exchange and communication; and, (6) Case studies.

BIP-M Alignment:

 Climate Services
Learning Aims: To provide learners with:

  • A brief overview and background to the basics of resilience building and social protection
  • Show what makes social protection ‘adaptive’ and why this is important
  • A brief overview of the Household Economy Analysis (HEA) approach and understanding of the importance of contextual information and understanding
  • Get different agencies to work effectively together through improved communication and shared understanding
  • A case study to critically examine disaster response and highlight difficulties and solutions to improve processes
Target Audience Any
Continent

 

 Africa
Duration

 

 21 – 40 hours
Delivery method

 

 In-person
Format (primary) Lectures
IPR Owner The Walker Institute
Course status Dormant
Contact email: academy@walker.ac.uk

 

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