Staff

The number of solar-powered water pumps is increasing in lower and middle income countries. While the technology presents important opportunities to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, an article published in Science co-led by SERS professor Dustin Garrick suggests that anticipated emissions reductions are complex to calculate and solar pumps are likely to increase groundwater depletion as farmers gain access to cheap, clean energy.

We are pleased to announce that Derek Armitage is the new Director of SERS, taking up the role on January 1, 2024.

The School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability congratulates our newest cohort of doctoral graduands. 

Dr. Kelsey Leonard's WAMPUM Lab partnered with the Collaboratory for Indigenous Data Governance to co-develop a report to the UN to prioritize Indigenous Peoples in the digital ecosystem. Their submission indicates principles and actions that can be taken to achieve the goal of an open, free and secure digital future for all. It employs the CARE principles, which are well-established in the open data movement.

Dr. Dustin Garrick, SERS Associate Professor and University Research Chair in Water and Development Policy, leads an international team that was recently awarded $500,000 in funding through a New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) Special Call for Research for Post-pandemic Recovery. The Beyond the Informal Water Paradox project team includes partners in Kenya.

SERS participated in the Sustainability Office's 2022 Eco-Summit. SERS achieved a gold ranking in the Green Office program and two SERS undergraduate students participated in panel sessions.

Maren Oelbermann and Pedro Gonzalez Hernandez cycled 770 km along the Dempster Highway to raise money to support the Grand River Cancer Centre.

Congratulations to Lowine Hill and Madu Galappaththi for their recognition as SERS student achievement leaders. Lowine and Madu (in collaboration with planning student Sarah Ghorpade) established a unique program for the Faculty of Environment that focuses on critical reflections on the colonial aspects of sustainability research.