Dr Edward Steele

Edward leads the scientific provision of weather and climate services for the commercial marine sector.

Areas of expertise

  • Marine post-processing
  • Metocean applications
  • Operational oceanography
  • Decision-making under conditions of uncertainty

Current activities

As Science Manager for Marine Applications at the Met Office, Edward leads the team that develops and delivers operational products and consultancy services to enable the metocean industry to better manage the impact of weather and climate; helping de-risk multi-million-pound operations, ensure the safety of life at sea, and evolve sector-wide standards (and aspirations) for the use of these data. Commensurate with his international profile in operational oceanography is his enjoyment of working with both internal and external partners to ensure that they capitalise on new scientific and technical improvements – particularly involving the exploitation of ensemble forecasting and data-driven techniques for enhanced decision-making.

Career background

Edward joined the Met Office in December 2015 as a Metocean Scientist in the Post-Processing Applications team.  From July 2019, while still continuing to lead the scientific application of forecasts within the commercial Marine sector, he managed a team within the Aviation area on an interim basis for nine months, prior to assuming his present role.

His background includes a PhD in Marine Physics and a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Physical Oceanography, both at the University of Plymouth, as well as significant contributions to the wider field of operational oceanography spanning multiple international learned society, journal editorial, joint industry project and cross-government Agency advisory roles.

Visit Dr Edward Steele's profile on LinkedIn.

External recognition

  • American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE): Winner of ASCE OTC 2023 Award for “cutting-edge research … [that] addresses one of the critical gaps in the metocean practice”; in recognition of work on the prediction of Loop Current and eddy regimes in the Gulf of Mexico in conjunction with bp, Shell and Woods Hole Group.