University of Waterloo Water Institute representatives travelled to the University of Bordeaux this month to share new research and identify opportunities to collaborate. Among a growing number of Waterloo-Bordeaux partnerships, the trip succeeded in strengthening ties with the leading French university, similarly known for global excellence in water research.
Led by Institute Director Roy Brouwer, nine Water Institute members, representing several Waterloo faculties, shared their work on three research themes identified as being common areas of strength between the two institutions:
- Measuring and reducing risks of emerging contaminants
- Minimizing impacts of nutrients on receiving waters
- Role of economics in sustainable water management
"The research groups expressed a keen interest to collaborate around the various themes," said Brouwer, noting that there are follow-up plans to submit a joint research proposal to national and international funding organizations in 2017.
Both institutions reviewed hosting joint postdoctoral students and Brouwer has been invited to teach at Bordeaux's Ecology and Global Changes summer school in June 2017.
The Oct. 24-26 visit was funded by a Bordeaux-Waterloo Research Grant, from the Waterloo Office of Research. The grant encourages emerging research collaboration. Particular emphasis during the visit was placed on the new Continental to Coastal Ecosystems: Evolution, Adaptability and Governance (COTE) research excellence cluster.
In addition to Brouwer, the Waterloo delegation included Institute members Nandita Basu, Vassili Karanassios, Juewen Liu, Alain-Désiré Nimubona, Carolyn Ren, Philippe Van Cappellen, Kim Van Meter and Noemie Neverre.