cc: Jason Lowe <jason.lowe@metoffice.gov.uk>, Maria Noguer <m.noguer@reading.ac.uk>
date: Sun, 31 May 2009 18:27:52 +0100
from: "Nicholls R.J." <R.J.Nicholls@soton.ac.uk>
subject: RE: A proposal for QUEST-GSI-2?
to: Nigel Arnell <n.w.arnell@reading.ac.uk>, "Tim   Wheeler" <t.r.wheeler@reading.ac.uk>, Tim Osborn <t.osborn@uea.ac.uk>, "Dawson T.P." <t.p.dawson@soton.ac.uk>, Richard Taylor <r.taylor@geog.ucl.ac.uk>, "pete.smith@abdn.ac.uk" <pete.smith@abdn.ac.uk>, "rjh@ceh.ac.uk" <rjh@ceh.ac.uk>, "richard.betts@metoffice.gov.uk" <richard.betts@metoffice.gov.uk>, "e.fraser@see.leeds.ac.uk" <e.fraser@see.leeds.ac.uk>, "graham.pilling@cefas.co.uk" <graham.pilling@cefas.co.uk>, "sari. kovats" <sari.kovats@lshtm.ac.uk>

   Following the others, I think that an earlier proposal would be best to maintain momentum
   and maximise what we can deliver to AR5.


   Before, proceeding I would recommend talking to NERC - is there any steer there?


   The disadvantage is time -- I am available for some of June, but only discrete windows.


   Best Wishes


   Robert


   From: Nigel Arnell [mailto:n.w.arnell@reading.ac.uk]
   Sent: 22 May 2009 15:49
   To: Tim Wheeler; Tim Osborn; Dawson T.P.; Nicholls R.J.; Richard Taylor;
   pete.smith@abdn.ac.uk; rjh@ceh.ac.uk; richard.betts@metoffice.gov.uk;
   e.fraser@see.leeds.ac.uk; graham.pilling@cefas.co.uk; sari. kovats;
   n.w.arnell@reading.ac.uk
   Cc: Jason Lowe; Maria Noguer
   Subject: A proposal for QUEST-GSI-2?


   Dear all,


   I know that we have not finished QUEST-GSI yet, but it is timely to think about
   "QUEST-GSI-2".  The QUEST-GSI framework has given us an excellent opportunity to make a
   major contribution to IPCC AR5 and the DECC AVOID programme (as it evolves).


   I am proposing that we submit a proposal to NERC for a new project to build on QUEST-GSI. I
   have attached a very preliminary outline, summarizing how we would (i) run with new
   scenarios and (ii) enhance the science (although I haven't yet specified how we might do
   that - recognizing that "running with new scenarios" will involve some new science too).


   The key question is whether we seek to make a proposal for the 1 July 2009 NERC deadline or
   the 1 December 2009 deadline.


   The main advantages and disadvantages of each are:


   July (with potential start in April 2010)                  advantages
      continuity


                                                        more time to do the science


        Disadvantages                  time to prepare proposal


                                                        too soon to present results from
   QUEST-GSI in proposal


                                                        too soon to bring in new partners

   December (with potential start in summer 2010 at the earliest)


        Advantages                        time to prepare a good proposal


                                                        Able to include examples from
   QUEST-GSI


        Disadvantages                  risk of break with QUEST-GSI


                                                        Shorter time to do the work


   I would greatly appreciate any comments. I have not discussed this with anybody at NERC or
   in QUEST.


   Regards


   Nigel


   Professor Nigel Arnell

   Director

   Walker Institute for Climate System Research

   University of Reading

   Earley Gate

   RG6 6BB

   UK


   +44-118-378-7392

   www.walker-institute.ac.uk