Environment and Society

The sustainable use and management of water

Research on water related issues is a strong interest throughout the School. Within the Environmental Management Policy theme, a particular focus is on ways of using environmental science and historical research to inform strategies for water management especially in developing countries. Sarah O’Hara is undertaking research on access to ‘safe’ water and issues relating to stakeholder participation in irrigated agriculture in Central Asia. Sarah Jewitt is examining water and development problems in India.

Sarah Metcalfe and Georgina Endfield also undertake work that is linked to the theme. They are currently investigating the study of archival sources and sediment proxies in order to explore the links between climate, culture and water resources in post-Hispanic Mexico. Nick Clifford's appointment as Deputy International Programme Director for the U21 network on ‘Water Futures and Sustainable Cities’ is extending the School’s water-related research to a global urban context. Currently, the network is preparing projects for funding with the following themes: assessment of city water sustainability; water education, literacy and citizenship (in collaboration with the Papplewick Trust); urban river restoration and assessment of urban water courses; and sampling and modelling of endocrine disruptors in an urban context.