Pedagogies of the Science Policy Interface: Challenges in Graduate Education in Integrated Water Resources

Management (IWRM)

• Paul H. Kirshen, Director of the Tufts University Water: Systems, Science, and Society Graduate Education Program

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Pressures on H20

H20

Public HealthStreamflow

Transpiration

Precipitation

Percolation

EnvironmentPolicy

Food

Supply

Energy

Evaporation

PopulationGrowth

Climate ChangeUrbanization

TechnologicalChanges

GlobalizationSecurity

Many Calls for Integrated Water Research and Management

• “...in the 21st Century we have to develop an integrated approach across the disciplines to understand the complexity of water issues worldwide” - complex global water issues require an approach that combines engineering with the natural, physical, and social sciences. (Colwell)

• that “the progressive intensification of US water scarcity in the face of competing demands for water will necessitate proactive and innovative scientific, technological, and institutional solutions….” The report continues: “What is needed for understanding water resources is a more holistic conceptual framework… solutions cross traditional disciplinary and societal boundaries.” (US NRC)

• “A holistic, systemic approach, relying on integrated water resource management must replace the fragmentation in managing water” (World Commission on Water, 2000).

• The World Bank, the World Commission on Dams, and the Global Water Partnership, European Water Framework Directive also describe the need for such approaches, which they call integrated water resources management. Many of the Millennium Development Goals target water issues (UNESCO, 2003).

• “Management of water issues requires experts from all disciplines who understand complexity in both natural and human systems, and who can work together to integrate the multidimensional aspects of water resources management” (Kirshen et al, 2004).

Challenges in Graduate Education in IWRM • Universities are traditionally organized by discipline, and the

goal of graduate education, particularly doctoral, is to become specialized in a single area.

• Tenure and promotion decisions are traditionally based upon recognized expertise in a narrow discipline, even in fields where interdisciplinary analysis is indispensable.

• Universities are organized by department with administrators often focused upon the success of their own programs and not on larger cross-university initiatives.

• Team teaching is necessary in many cases in interdisciplinary education courses yet faculty typically have commitments to other courses and cannot devote sufficient time to extra teaching.

• Student concerns about gaining depth and time requirements.

Additional Challenges in Research on IWRM

and Issues • The ease of working alone.

• Sharing of Indirect Costs.

• Recognizing Contributions of Team Members.

• University Administration by Departments and Schools.

Dr. Rita Coldwell, Former NSF Director

• The goal of this cross-school, Ph.D/MA/MS program is to educate students with engineering, policy, and health, biological, physical, and social science backgrounds to be skilled in one water-related discipline and have the interdisciplinary perspectives and tools to be able to respond to complex multidimensional water problems.

• Partnership of six Tufts schools: Arts and Sciences, Engineering, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Medical School, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, and Veterinary Medicine. Each school has one or more members on the WSSS Steering Committee.

• Students participating in the WSSS program be accepted by and then fulfill the requirements of a graduate degree within one of the participating departments.

WSSS PhD/MS/MA Program

• Core Courses - Systems Analysis, The Science and Technology of Water, Biological Aspects of Water, Health and Nutrition, Planning and Policy of Water. Most courses will satisfy some departmental required or elective courses

• WSSS Research Practicum for all entering students • Integrative Seminar Series• Internships• Skill Workshops • Interdisciplinary thesis or research project• Designed to not add time on to normal degree

Interdisciplinary Research Agenda

• Water and Climate and Environmental Change

• Water and Public Health

• Watershed Protection, Management, and Remediation

• Water, Food, and Livelihood Security

• Water and National and International Security

Meeting Academic Challenges

• WSSS Program reports to Provost

• Faculty Based Graduate Education Council exists to foster ID research

• Skills in ID research small part of hiring and T&P decisions

• Indirect costs shared by schools in proportion to direct costs

We are not alone !

• The “New” Water Planning and Management Degrees: A Panel Discussion

• Kelly Brumbelow1, Hedy V. Alavi2, Ronald Kaiser3, Paul H. Kirshen4, Christopher Lant5, and Warren Viessman6

• 1 Zachry Department of Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3136, kbrumbelow@civil.tamu.edu, (979) 458-2678

• 2 Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering, Johns Hopkins University

• 3 Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Sciences, Texas A&M University

• 4 Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Tufts University• 5 Department of Geography, Southern Illinois University• 6 Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida

• Others ?

School of Arts and SciencesJonathan Kenny* Characterization of organics Frank Ackerman Environmental EconomicsAstier AlmedomBio-medical AnthropologyLawrence Bacow Environmental Economics & Policy Scott Horsley Water Resources Policy/PlanningSheldon Krimsky Environmental Policy & EthicsDavid O’Leary Comparative Religion & EthicsAnn Rappaport Environmental Science & ManagementMichael Reed Ecology, ConservationAlbert RobbatAnalytical InstrumentationRhonda Ryznar Environmental Planning and GISJay Shimshack Environmental Economics & PolicyDavid Walt Sensors & Pathogen DetectionJon Witten Land Use Planning

School of EngineeringRichard Vogel* Hydrology, Water ResourcesPaul Kirshen*Water Resources SystemsLinda Abriola Groundwater Pollution/RemediationSteven Chapra Water Quality, Mathematical ModelingJohn Durant Environmental Fate & TransportDavid Gute Epidemiology & Public Health David Kaplan Environmental MicrobiologyFletcher School of Law and DiplomacyWilliam Moomaw* Environmental Policy & NegotiationsLeila Fawaz Interstate Disputes in the Middle East Medical SchoolJeffrey Griffiths* Water-born DiseaseElena Naumova Public Health, Mathematical ModelingVeterinary SchoolChristine Jost* Ecosystem Health AssessmentSaul Tzipori Waterborne PathogensMark Pokras Ecology & Disease

Friedman School of Nutrition Science and PolicyPatrick Webb* Household Water SecurityBeatrice Rogers* Economics/Food PolicyPeter WalkerNatural Disaster Relief

Email FirstName.LastName@tufts.edu*School Coordinator

Thank you. Questions ? Comments ?

www.tufts.edu/water