Breaking boundaries in water research

The Can-Peat network’s December 2025 sharing session offered a lively glimpse into the realities of peatland research and restoration, creating a space where seasoned researchers, students, and practitioners could swap stories from the field, compare methods, and celebrate both successes and challenges. Rather than formal presentations, the session leaned into the joy of shared experience, highlighting how field seasons shape research questions, collaborations, and community connections.

The Office of Research expects to initiate the search for a new Executive Director of the Water Institute in the coming months. This search for a successor to former Executive Director Roy Brouwer is expected to take up to six months to complete. As a result, Brouwer has been asked to remain in the role on a temporary basis during this period.

The Water Institute is pleased to announce that Dr. Andrea Brookfield has been appointed director of the University of Waterloo’s Collaborative Water Program for a two-year term, effective January 1, 2026. An associate professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and a Water Institute member, Dr. Brookfield brings deep expertise in hydrology and water resource management. Her work focuses on developing and applying hydrological models that help us better understand how water and contaminants move through surface and groundwater systems and how decisions about energy, agriculture, and urban development shape the health of our watersheds. Her research aims to balance competing demands to support economic, social, and environmental stability.