Joint Centre for Excellence in Environmental Intelligence

Based in Exeter, the Joint Centre for Excellence in Environmental Intelligence  brings together world-leading researchers from the University of Exeter and the Met Office, to pioneer the development of environmental intelligence research. The initial areas of focus are climate change, clean air, health and extreme weather events. 

Dr Kirstine Dale of the Met Office is the Co-Director of the Joint Centre. Alongside her science training, Kirstine brings a wealth of expertise in designing and implementing new initiatives, her experience in strategy, partnerships and science programme management are a huge asset to the Joint Centre.   

Kirstine is joined by Professor Gavin Shaddick, who is the University of Exeter Co-Director. Gavin is the Chair of Data Science and Statistics at the University, with world-leading expertise in data science applied to environmental challenges – both co-directors oversee the strategic direction of the centre. 
 

What are the aims of the partnership?

The Centre utilises data science and artificial intelligence to transform our understanding of the natural environment and develop solutions to real-world environmental challenges. 

Bringing together expertise from both organisations, the Joint Centre: 

• Provides a hub for research and training to support a new global community in Environmental Intelligence and promote the UK as a global trailblazer in this new field. 

• Facilitates collaboration between academia, business, governments and other stakeholders to develop solutions that are fit for purpose and evidence based. 

• We are exploring collaboration with The Alan Turing Institute, the UK’s national centre for Data Science and AI, to provide leadership at the interface of environmental science and AI, together with the infrastructure to support development of a UK national capability. 

Future collaboration

In 2021, the University of Exeter and the Met Office proudly launched the Joint Centre of Excellence for Environmental Intelligence (JCEEI)—a groundbreaking initiative that helped define a novel and emerging field: environmental intelligence. By fusing data and environmental science, the JCEEI set out to and delivered tangible benefits for climate, nature, business, and society.

As the worlds of data science, AI, and machine learning evolve at pace, so too must the concept of environmental intelligence—responding to urgent environmental challenges and shifting strategic priorities across both institutions.

In Spring 2025, the decision was taken to close the JCEEI in its current form and pursue the environmental intelligence research agenda by other means. From Summer 2025, Met Office will focus on AI research linked to its weather & climate remit. University of Exeter will launch a new Centre for Environmental Intelligence. The new Centre will continue to broaden and deepen its scope —building new collaborations across academia, industry, government, and the third sector.

Both University of Exeter and Met Office are proud of the contribution made by the JCEEI and will continue to collaborate across a range of educational and research activities.