New Centre for Water and Spatial Science opens at UWA

A new Centre for Water and Spatial Science has been formally opened at The University of Western Australia, bringing together world-class experts from UWA’s Schools of Agriculture and Environment, Earth Sciences and Engineering.

Co-Director Associate Professor Matt Hipsey said they included environmental engineers, environmental scientists, geographers, and hydrogeologists who were tackling some of the biggest environmental challenges facing communities in urban and regional areas.

“Water is a common currency that links how catchments, ecosystems, and the communities that depend upon them, respond to climate change and land management,” Associate Professor Hipsey said.

“Advances in spatial science provide the methods and tools we need to understand how these change over time.”

Co-Director Associate Professor Nik Callow said a core focus of the centre would be on seeking new water knowledge in a changing climate.

“Understanding some of the challenges that scientists, industry and engineers face in assessing the impact of changing climate both in Western Australia and Australia will be a key component of what we do,” Associate Professor Callow said.

Image: UWA Centre for Water and Spatial Science Directors (L-R): Associate Professors Nik Callow, Sally Thompson & Matt Hipsey

The centre was established on UWA’s long-standing expertise and a history of success in the field of geography, environmental science, and engineering in Western Australia.

As the ARWU top-ranked Australian university in Environmental Science and Engineering, UWA is a strategic hub for knowledge in the region. Expertise in areas such as water resources, urban greening, microclimate, coastal adaptation, and land management have been crucial for supporting local industries and urban settlements.

Co-Director Associate Professor Sally Thompson said the centre would establish UWA as a leading research partner in the fields of hydrology and water in the environment, utilising advanced geospatial tools and data science to understand those issues.

“Our launch presented an excellent opportunity to bring together industry partners and government leaders involved in water regulation and climate change adaptation who offered insights into various industry challenges and questions,” Associate Professor Thompson said.

The Centre plans to hold several international seminars, workshops, and a series of other events over the next few months, with details to be announced shortly. Visit the Centre for Water and Spatial Science (CWSS) website for more information.