Research
Leading water and spatial research to understand the dynamic and unfolding relationships between ecosystems and people and to support sustainable management solutions to environmental problems.
On this page
Our activities and initiatives are structured around five multidisciplinary themes, focusing on field and process understanding, modelling, and spatial sciences in collaboration with national and international links, partnerships, outreach, and technology innovation.
The changing climate challenges our ability to manage food and water security, economic wellbeing and the environment. Understanding catchments, rivers, aquifers, estuarine systems and coasts, and how they respond to the changing climate must be at the forefront of responding to this challenge. Spatial data, satellite data, drones, and translational research with industry underpin our ability to gain a deeper understanding of these issues.
Water in a changing climate
Our Centre focuses on water-dependent systems amidst climate change and population growth. We use innovative techniques to tackle water uncertainty, understand processes, and apply new knowledge to complex systems.
Resilient landscapes
We are committed to maintaining resilient landscapes that support biodiversity and wellbeing. We address climate change impacts and land use on ecosystems and offer science-based solutions to current and emerging issues.
Catchment to coasts
Our research explores ecosystem actions, water quality, and sustainability from catchment to coast. We study natural processes and human activities, to connect the impact and influence of human and natural system preservation for a sustainable future.
Research Teaching Nexus
Our Centre values research-informed teaching and opportunities for research training at undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD levels. Our diverse, gender-balanced team attracts top young scientists and future leaders.
Data-driven discovery and spatial analytics
We use spatial, satellite data, and drones for understanding environments, systems and human populations. Our spatial and data-centric work is applied and solutions-focused.
I'm an environmental and social hydrogeologist. I try to bridge the gap between groundwater processes and communities that are impacted. I want to bring people together.DR SARAH BOURKE
SCHOOL OF EARTH SCIENCES CENTRE FOR WATER AND SPATIAL SCIENCE
Current and Past Visitors
The Centre regularly hosts visiting researchers from across the world. Here are a few of our current and past visitors:
Current Visitors
Taynara Fernandes
PhD candidate at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Germany
Bio
Taynara Fernandes is a PhD candidate at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) in Germany, where she investigates the climate-adaptive thermal use of lakes. Her research, conducted within the FluSeeQ project, assesses the impacts of heat extraction on lake hydrodynamics under climate change conditions.
Research Stay
During her research stay at the Centre for Water and Spatial Science (CWSS), Ms. Fernandes will collaborate with the Aquatic EcoDynamics (AED) team to model heat extraction in lakes using the General Lake Model (GLM). The aim is to evaluate potential impacts of thermal use and explore scenarios to help counteract the effects of climate change.
Past Visitors
Professor Ofer Dahan
The Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Israel
Prof Zhenming Zhang
Beijing Forestry University, College of Ecology and Nature Conservation, China
Lisa Michaeli
UC Berkeley, Energy and Resources Group, USA
Martino Malerba
Deakin University Blue Carbon Lab,
Melbourne, Australia
Dr Vincent Lyne
University of Tasmania
Professor Juan Ignacio (Nacho) López-Moreno
Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (Pyrenean Institute of Ecology), Zaragoza, Spain
Ahi Saipaia
Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Forests. Tongan Government
Laurent Ameglio
Exegis, Australia
Jose Darrozes
CNRS France
Arianna Rapiti
EMergo, Italy
Dr Cayelan Carey
Virginia Tech, USA
Quinn Thomas
Virginia Tech, USA
Dr Octavia Crompton
Research Scientist at US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Agricultural Research Service (ARS), USA
Maria Francesca Benassi
The University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy
Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences
Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Sciences
Professor Osvaldo Sala
Regents and Foundation Professor and GIOSI Center Director,
School of Life Sciences
Arizona State University, USA
Dr Mary Lofton
Research Scientist
Center for Ecosystem Forecasting
Virginia Tech, USA
Patrick Clemens
PhD candidate
University of Tennessee Knoxville, USA