News

A University of Waterloo press release.

The emotional connection to nature that kids feel is declining with each generation thanks in large part to their increasing use of digital media. Instead of trying to fight this trend, known as Videophilia, researchers say it’s time to use it to help kids find their way back to nature.

In mid-March when COVID-19 caused many to work remotely, the forWater Network was well underway planning their Annual General Meeting to be held in Victoria, British Columbia. While the in-person portion of this annual event was ultimately cancelled, in its place arose a creative virtual alternative that highlighted this year’s research findings.

University of Waterloo Press Release
featuring Water Institute member Jason Thistlethwaite.

As hurricane season is now upon North America, we have many questions about the particular challenges of managing disasters during COVID-19.  How do governments evacuate people safely? How will already scarce PPE supplies be tested?

We spoke to Professor Jason Thistlethwaite, an expert in strategies to reduce the economic impacts of extreme weather and climate change, to hear his thoughts about managing disasters alongside the pandemic.

The University of Waterloo has signed the Responsible Investment Charter for Canadian Universities, pledging more responsible investment decisions with its $400-million endowment fund to help address the threat of climate change.

A new article entitled “How investing in green infrastructure can jump-start the post-coronavirus economy” has been published in The Conversation Canada, an online independent source of news from the academic and research community.

At the Water Institute, we strive to be a global leader in all things water: research, education, innovation and collaboration. While we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, recent events have made it clear that this is not enough and that we must and can do more.  

Congratulations to three University of Waterloo water students who have been named Vanier Canada Graduate Scholars in the annual competition announced June 19 by the Government of Canada.

The Water Institute congratulates nine of its members on receiving more than $343 thousand in funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), through its 2020 Discovery Grant Program. 

Announced on June 17^th by the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, more than $492 million in funding will go to over 2,400 researchers across Canada to support research in a wide variety of natural sciences and engineering disciplines.

For graduating PhD students, completing their dissertation defence is a significant milestone, as well as a time to celebrate their accomplishments with friends and family.

Read the story of exceptional PhD student Bereket NegasiIsaac, Water Institute Collaborative Water Program graduate from the Faculty of Environment.

The Global Water Futures Open Science Meeting typically provides an opportunity to come together to share, learn, plan and celebrate scientific achievements, building on progress and momentum of the program.