Elaine's research, which aims to develop a robust monitoring framework for the lower Grand River/nearshore Lake Erie area, has evolved considerably to incorporate the following themes: multi-jurisdictional coordination (e.g., of local, regional, national and binational authorities), making Indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing an underlying guide to the ways in which we monitor and report on watershed health, and aligning monitoring goals and approaches with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In particular, alignment with Goal 6 (clean water and sanitation for all) and the Integrated Monitoring Initiative set up to guide SDG 6 implementation are of interest.
As such, Elaine has spent considerable time over the last year - especially in over the summer of 2018 - engaging more deeply with the SDGs and the organizations that are focused on implementing them. One example is the Waterloo Global Science Initiative (WGSI), a partnership between University of Waterloo and the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. In April 2018, WGSI hosted the Generation SDG Summit, where about 40 leaders from across Canada, cultures and generations had one goal: create a resource that would help get action on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) started in Canada. Elaine attended the Summit as the Lead Rapporteur - a role that would turn into being co-author of the Generation SDG Blueprint (released early November 2018 - see Elaine's Fall 2018 update).
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and international network of research institutions and knowledge brokers focused on connecting expertise with decision-makers and 'doers'. The Sustainable Development Solutions Network for Canada (SDSN-C), hosted at University of Waterloo, launched on May 7, 2018. At the event, Elaine participated in the opening ceremonies, representing SDG 6. The Water Institute at UW wrote a brief article that highlights sustainable development work and her involvement in the SDSN-C launch.
Elaine's research is part of the Lake Futures research group, which falls under the umbrella of Global Water Futures - the largest single investment in freshwater research in the world. The Global Water Futures inaugural Annual Science Meeting took place in early June, where Elaine connected with stakeholders and other researchers to further develop her research.
Then, from July 8-9, 2018, Elaine attended the start of the High Level Political Forum (the official mechanism for tracking national progress on the SDGs). She contributed to policy documents, represented international women during the opening session and presented a short intervention (a 2-minute commentary) on accountability during a side event co-hosted by civil society and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs. A short story, including links to the written content and the video recording of the event, was written by the Lake Futures group.
Shortly after returning from New York, Elaine engaged with a group of high school students from around the world on the topic of the SDGs. She introduced the SDGs at the start of the IDEAS Summer Experience program hosted here at University of Waterloo. Finally, during the summer of 2018, Elaine completed University of Waterloo's Fundamentals of University Teaching program and was accepted into the Certificate of University Teaching program. She looks forward to some very interesting upcoming events in the fall!