Water @ Exeter

Date 4 October 2011
Time 09.00-14.15
Location Business School, Streatham Campus (Matrix Lecture Theatre and Xfi Conference Rooms)

The aim of this workshop was to identify Exeter’s strengths in water research across all disciplines, to explore greater integration across disciplines, and to identify future priorities and key partners.

The workshop began with an introduction to the event and the Bridging the Gaps project by David Butler and to the proposed South West Water Alliance by Dawn Scott.

Jan Bowen, Executive Partner in IBM and Smart Water Lead UK, then gave a thought-provoking presentation on 'Challenges Facing the Water Industry' and the need for 'smarter water'.

A series of presentations (which staff can download below) then highlighted different aspects of water research at Exeter:

  • 'Water & the Built Environment' - Dragan Savić (Engineering)
  • 'Water, Landscape & Ecosystem Dynamics' - Richard Brazier (Geography)
  • 'Water & Climate Change: controls on global scale precipitation change under global warming' - Mat Collins (Mathematics & Computer Science)
  • 'Water & Sustainability' - Stewart Barr (Geography)
  • 'Water & Environmental Influences on Environmental Behaviour' - Joanne Smith (Psychology)
  • 'Water & Environmental Contaminants' - Ben Wheeler presenting Tamara Galloway's slides (Biosciences)
  • 'Water & Health' - Ben Wheeler (European Centre for Environment and Human Health)
  • 'Water & Food Security' - Michael Winter (Politics)
  • 'Water & Culture' - Andrew McRae (English)
  • 'Water & a Multidisciplinary Approach' - Stephen Sitch (Geography)

Following the presentations, participants wrote their ideas on four 'discussion tables' with the following themes:

  • Research strengths (facilitated by Stewart Barr)
  • Grand Challenges (facilitated by Rolf Aalto)
  • Coordination (facilitated by Michael Winter)
  • Partners (facilitated by Stephen Sitch)

The event concluded with feedback from the table facilitators on emerging ideas and a buffet lunch.

The discussion table notes and facilitators' summaries have been typed up and staff can download them below.

We welcome any further thoughts and ideas, both from those who were at the event and those who weren't: please contact Helen Butler.

Documents

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