More than 100 University of Waterloo researchers & staff are headed west to attend the Global Water Futures (GWF) second annual science meeting from May 15–17. The meeting will take place at TCU Place, University of Saskatchewan and Wanuskewin Heritage Park in Saskatoon, SK. The meeting provides the GWF community with an opportunity to come together and share their scientific findings and outcomes, activities and achievements with the GWF community, users and stakeholders.
GWF is a seven-year research initiative that will position Canada as a global leader in water science for cold regions. The project will provide governments, businesses and communities with the risk management tools they need to tackle threats to Canada’s water supply and quality.
GWF Highlights:
- Funded in part by a $77.8-million grant from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund, GWF is Canada’s largest water research project.
- The program is supported by a unique partnership between universities across Canada with core support for the research being supported by the University of Waterloo, University of Saskatchewan, Wilfrid Laurier University, and McMaster University.
- The University of Waterloo is leading nine projects and are involved in eight additional projects.
- Over 90 University of Waterloo researchers and graduate students are involved.
Highlights of this year’s annual science meeting will include:
- Plenary sessions featuring high level talks by leading scientists on key issues relevant to GWF, as well as highlights of some of the research accomplishments from the GWF Program.
- Parallel thematic oral sessions and poster presentations on Climate and Hydrology, Human dimensions and Hydro-economics and Ecosystems and Water Quality to showcase the remarkable range and quality of research being undertaken across GWF, and to foster collaboration, synthesis and discussions on research impact with partners and users.
- Local Indigenous cultural learning and exchange with a half-day event at Wanuskewin Heritage Park near Saskatoon. The group will participate in a number of different cultural learning activities to enhance knowledge of the history, culture, and worldview of the Indigenous Peoples of the region.
- A public event to explore relevant and important water issues faced in the Canadian Prairies and what GWF is doing in response to the challenges. This will take place the evening of May 14, 2019.
- Professional development opportunities and workshops to build skills, strengthen communication abilities, and enhance collaboration and network-building across GWF and beyond. Workshops will be organized by the GWF Young Professionals (YP) and the Knowledge Mobilization and Communications Teams, and will take place on May 14, 2019.