Hear four speakers passionately discuss the implications of our changing world on a key area. Climate Change and water are intertwined, from flooding and drought, to increased demand and varying quality.
We’re looking at the 10 key changes you need to know: what we are already experiencing, alongside what to expect in the coming years, and the positive ways scientists and engineers are building resilience.
We’re sharing the research behind the headlines, with a particular focus on the work of the Centre for Water Systems at the University of Exeter.
We’ll examine the science behind attribution; is there evidence that individual extreme flooding events were affected by Climate Change?
How can we become more resilient in a changing world to extreme weather events and how does the artistic community work with scientists to communicate their work?
This event is in partnership with the Centre for Water Systems at the University of Exeter, which is celebrating its 25 year anniversary. If you would like to join their summer celebration event in August you can find out more information here
Speakers
Prof David Butler FREng
Professor of Water Engineering
Centre for Water Systems
University of Exeter
David Butler is Co-Director of the Centre for Water Systems and Professor of Water Engineering at the University of Exeter where he is an internationally-leading researcher, teacher, manager and consultant in the water sector. He has a bachelor’s degree in civil & structural engineering from Cardiff University, a master’s in public health engineering and a doctorate in environmental engineering, both from Imperial College London. He is a chartered civil engineer and a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Chartered Institution of Water & Environmental Management and the International Water Association. At Exeter, he was recently Head of Engineering and prior to this Associate Dean for Research and Knowledge Transfer in the College of Engineering, Mathematics & Physical Sciences.
Professor Tania Kovats
Professor (Teaching and Research)
Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design
University of Dundee
Tania Kovats’ practice and research as an artist is an exploration of our experience of landscape, increasingly with an environmental focus. Her work includes temporary and permanent sculptural works often in the public realm, drawing, and writing, that currently consider her preoccupation with water, rivers, seas and oceans. She works at the confluence of environmental, psychological, political, and the personal. Kovats is an advocate for drawing in its expanded field, as a highly significant tool of thinking and expression, that provides an infinite and varied means of communication that continues to be expanded and enriched by practitioners. She regularly seeks out engagement and impact with audiences beyond the gallery. Her works are in both public and private collections in the UK and abroad, including Arts Council, Jupiter Artland, The British Council, Government Art Collection, the National Maritime Museum Greenwich, and the V&A.
Trevor Bishop
Director
Water Resources South East (WRSE)
Trevor has been Director at WRSE since January 2019.
As Director for WRSE Trevor’s key responsibilities include strategy and policy for the development of a long-term Regional Resilience Plan across six statutory water companies in the South East of England serving some 20 million people.
Prior to his current role Trevor worked at Ofwat, the economic regulator, for three years on long term assignment from the Environment Agency. At Ofwat Trevor’s specific areas of work included resilience, environmental delivery, catchment approaches, clean/wastewater planning and aspects of PR19. At the Environment Agency Trevor was Deputy Director of Water Resources which included all aspects of water resource regulation, strategy and operations.
Dr Sarah Ward
Co-creation Specialist & Honorary Fellow CIWEM
Westcountry Rivers Trust
Sarah (She/They) is currently Co-creation Specialist at the Westcountry Rivers Trust. Sarah has a Batchelor’s degree in Geography with Astronomy, two Master’s degrees in Earth & Atmospheric Science and Science & Technology Studies, respectively and a PhD in Engineering with Social Science. Sarah is a Chartered Water and Environmental Manager and Honorary Felllow with CIWEM and a Chartered Environmentalist with the Society for the Environment. Sarah has held roles in public, private and nonprofit/third sector organisations. Sarah previously held Associate Professor and Research Fellow roles at the University of the West of England, Bristol and Senior Research Fellow and other roles at the University of Exeter. Prior to that Sarah worked at one of the UK’s largest water companies, Thames Water. Sarah’s research and practice focuses on water, environment, communities and resilience, cutting across systems, scales and disciplines and is underpinned by equality/equity, diversity and inclusivity (EDI) seeking to support transdisciplinary approaches to global challenges.
Anu Anand
BBC World Service
Anu Anand is a presenter with 22 years experience in international news and current affairs. Anu has worked all over the world, reporting major stories like the death of Mother Theresa, the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, the 2004 Asian Tsunami, Nepal’s devastating earthquakes in 2014 and several Indian elections.
She was based in New Delhi for 8 years covering the country’s epic economic and social changes.
She has also worked for APTN, the Guardian, the Christian Science Monitor, Al Jazeera English and Marketplace, launching the global edition of Marketplace Morning Report from the BBC World Service in 2017.