UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Faculty and staff are invited to attend a town hall meeting focused on strengthening water research, education and outreach at the University. The event runs from 3-5 p.m. on Feb. 15 in Room 233AB of the HUB-Robeson Center.
Penn State’s water scientists, researchers and educators have led decades of high impact research, education and service addressing the many dimensions of water, including: water quality and quantity, transport and infrastructure, and energy-water-land interactions. The intent of the water research and education group is to strengthen networks, increase collaboration and share resources.
“Collaboration is very important to this group,” said Odette Mina, managing director of the Energy and Environmental Sustainability Laboratories and one of the coordinators of the group. “Being able to identify faculty and staff who are interested in similar research (or other areas of research) that can complement the work we are doing allows us to better work together rather than competing for opportunities and resources.”
The other two coordinators of the event are Karen Fisher-Vanden, professor of environmental and resource economics, College of Agricultural Sciences; and Susan Brantley, distinguished professor of geosciences, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences.
The impacts of population growth, development and environmental changes put increasing stresses on water resources. Decisions about how to use water are increasingly challenging as the global population approaches eight billion and competition among uses reaches unprecedented levels.
In November 2017, a one-day cross-University Water Forum was held. It brought together faculty and staff for the purpose of designing a strategic plan for the future of water research, education and outreach at Penn State. Nearly 50 people were in attendance.
As a result, a group of water researchers from various disciplines have formed to promote and strengthen the work already being done at Penn State. The group has the following primary goals:
- To develop community and coordination among water scientists at Penn State;
- To energize water scientists at Penn State to push across boundaries in research, education and outreach;
- To provide mentorship opportunities to water scientists at Penn State; and
- To develop interdisciplinary leaders who utilize the great breadth and depth of expertise across Penn State to lead on water issues worldwide.
For more information about the Feb. 15 town hall meeting or water research and education at Penn State, please contact Odette Mina at odette.mina@psu.edu.