Socio-Hydrogeology and the power of transdisciplinary Sciences
Date: March 1, 2022
ABSTRACT
Socio-hydrogeology has been recently proposed as a new approach targeted to the assessment of the reciprocity between people and groundwater. This approach roots its basis in transdisciplinary sciences, and in the belief that addressing the complex nature of the water cycle with a holistic approach can effectively lead to equitable access and long-term sustainability of groundwater resources.
In practical terms, by structurally integrating classical hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical assessments with social, behavioral and cognitive sciences, socio-hydrogeology aims at assessing the role of individuals and communities as a primary source, pathway and receptor of groundwater, and at understanding the impact of local know-how, risk perception and consumption on groundwater quality and quantity. In addition, within this approach a crucial role is played by public engagement and stakeholders’ analysis as two effective tools for building trust with (ground)water users and managers, thus fostering the implementation of sound science-based management practices for groundwater protection.
SPEAKERS
Viviana Re, Assistant Professor at Earth Sciences Department, University of Pisa, Italy
Dr. Re is an interdisciplinary water scientist specializing in socio-hydrogeology and hydrogeochemistry of groundwater contamination in rural and coastal areas. Her areas of expertise include: hydrogeochemistry, isotope geochemistry, interactions between humans and the water cycle, with a special focus on the incorporation the social dimension into hydrogeological investigations. She has been involved in several training, consultancy and technical cooperation activities for UN agencies (IAEA, UNESCO-IHP, UNESCO-WWAP), focusing on development of quality monitoring programmes, support to groundwater resource planning, management and protection. She is chair of the Socio-Hydrogeology Network of the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH-SHG) and co-chair of the IAH Burdon Groundwater Network for International Development (IAH-BGID). She is author of the Bir al-Nas blog and co-founder of Responsible Water Scientists.
Oliver Higgins, Water Resources Consultant, UAE
Mr. Higgins is water resources program manager who has worked on four continents. He has spent about the last half of his 20-year career in the Gulf region, leading consultancy teams and major water resources projects in the UAE and Qatar. Oliver’s core experience is groundwater, but his work has spanned across marine science, desalination, renewable energy and environmental and social impact assessment. Most recently, Oliver led the Phase 1 mapping of the UAE’s water resources, covering the Northern part of the country.
Link to recording (Password to open the recording: gC3Mcvz$)
