Norfolk Rivers Trust

Abstract Rivers are increasingly fragmented and degraded, yet the European Union Nature Restoration Regulation calls for restoring at least 25,000 kilometres of free-flowing rivers by 2030. Translating this ambition into effective implementation remains challenging because restoration priorities differ across ecological, social, economic, and governance contexts. Here, we synthesize expert knowledge from 45 countries through a structured, multi-step prioritization process to identify research priorities for restoring free-flowing rivers in Europe. We identified 27 priorities and analysed how expert background and spatial context influenced their ranking. Restoration priorities differed systematically depending on whether experts emphasized ecological integrity, community engagement, economic considerations, or governance capacity, revealing clear patterns in how disciplinary and professional perspectives shape implementation pathways. This demonstrates that restoration strategies cannot be universal but must be adapted to local and regional political, institutional, and ecological conditions. Building on these findings, we propose a structured prioritisation framework that links barrier removal, connectivity restoration, governance mechanisms, and policy instruments to context-specific needs. Together, our results provide an empirically grounded and implementation-oriented roadmap to support European Union Member States in delivering ambitious river restoration targets in a context-sensitive and socially robust manner.

Abstract The nutrient removal efficiency of two integrated constructed wetlands (ICWs) installed at commercial wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Norfolk, UK, is assessed – the River Ingol ICW (1 year old) and the River Mun ICW (5 years old). Analysing water samples collected across the ICWs between February and September 2019, significant reductions in both effluent nutrient concentration and load were recorded. At the River Mun ICW, mean nitrate and phosphate concentrations were reduced by ~63% across the wetland, whilst nutrient loadings were reduced by ~57%. At the River Ingol ICW, mean nitrate and phosphate concentrations were reduced by ~30%, whilst nutrient loadings were reduced by ~70%. Economically, the total capital cost of both ICWs was comparable at £31‐39 per person served. Overall, this study demonstrates ICWs can significantly reduce the eutrophication risk associated with WWTP discharges and can do so whilst providing a cost‐effective alternative to conventional tertiary wastewater treatment.

As the new Joint Dental Council appointed by the two Dental Faculties of The Royal College of Surgeons of England begins its work to improve inter-faculty collaboration, this paper suggests some of the issues that will need to be addressed. Drawing on the concepts of 'positioning', 'identity' and 'professionalism', the question is raised as to how the Faculties may seek to engage more meaningfully with dental professionals at large. The need for all Dental Faculties in the British Isles to learn to work together is emphasised. Attention is drawn to the importance, in the rapidly evolving social context in which dental professionals work, of reflecting deeply on the nature of professionalism in contemporary society, and the moral and humanitarian issues that need to be addressed if dentists are to continue to be deemed worthy of the status 'profession'.

The drive for quality assurance in general dental practice has arisen as a response to changing standards and demands. Dentists need to develop skills in change management in this new culture of change. Groups of practitioners often encounter difficulties when managing change, yet it is essential that they lead the process. Such problems are common among groups of professionals. A wide range of topics is presented that may, from one point of view, represent challenging or problem areas (obstacles) for a group practice but may also, from a different point of view, provide a framework of opportunities for improvement, and facilitate the management processes within the practice and the management of change in particular (tools). The range of skills required to assist a professional group is such that individual dentists or advisers may not be able to achieve much on their own. The best way forward may be to interpret the problems as a professional training need and to organise training as a group. These issues will be considered under the following headings: partners and teams; introduction: the need for change management; the challenge for group practices; obstacles and tools; conclusion: the way forward--a case for training.