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To celebrate ������Ʒ’s 75^th anniversary, the ������Ʒ Global Water Institute (������Ʒ-GWI) is collaborating with the ������Ʒ Library on a fascinating exhibition that reflects, celebrates and reaffirms the University’s commitment to the stewardship of the planet’s marine, freshwater and urban water ecosystems.

The exhibition, officially opened on Wednesday the 10^th of July 2024. It connects water research across various environments and disciplines—from seagrass reforestation to aquafarming, hydrology to art and more.

The opening event included a Welcome to Country performed by Aunty Rhonda Dixon-Grovenor, a Gadigal, Bidgigal, and Yuin Elder and Traditional Descendant from the Sydney (Warrane) and saltwater basin and the South Coast of NSW. Martin Borchert, Director & University Librarian, was MC, and speeches were given by ������Ʒ-GWI Director Professor Greg Leslie and Vice-President Societal Impact, Equity & Engagement, Professor Verity Firth.

Acknowledging our journey to now

The research on show at Living Water exemplifies the many ways in which water shapes existence and impacts survival. And as a nod to ������Ʒ’s 75 years of water research, each water exhibit has links to the pioneering men and women who had tremendous impact on water stewardship in decades past.

For example, collaborative work to chart the cultural dimensions of the Cooks River in Sydney is an example of humanities-centred environmental management that was championed by Professor Ronnie Harding in the 1990s. The project is a collaboration between Indigenous researchers, human geographers and urban planners. The living seawalls exhibit includes influences from 1970s studies by Prof Kevin Marshall, which sought to understand how bacteria colonise surfaces in the marine environment.  And the CoastSnap project, which uses citizen science to map coastal changes, is a continuation of the coastal engineering work that commenced at ������Ʒ’s Manly Vale facility in the 1960s.

Collaboration for maximum impact

The breakthrough studies, technological innovations, and community engagement efforts provide insight into how ������Ʒ scientists, engineers, artists, and researchers address complex challenges related to the stewardship of the planet’s water systems.

The exhibitions on show are prime examples of the University’s collaborative and far-reaching approach, comprising cross-disciplinary research, scholarship and training. Each Faculty is represented, and exhibits are tangible examples of how effective collaboration with colleagues and diverse partners can achieve real impact. One example in the spotlight is the Global Ocean Account Partnership, hosted by the ������Ʒ Centre for Sustainable Development Reform, which is successfully influencing maritime policy, the management of the blue economy and sustainable shipping in more than 20 countries in Asia and the Pacific.

The ������Ʒ Library will also host water-related events and presentations aligned to the Living Water exhibition throughout its duration. Four guest lectures will acknowledge the historical contributions from ������Ʒ academics that established the foundations for ������Ʒ’s modern water community. The  (to given by Prof Nick Ashbolt), the David Pilgrim Lecture, the Ronnie Harding Lecture and the Law Faculty lecture will comprise the ‘Living Water Oration Series, which commences on 14 August during National Science Week. The Water@������Ʒ Symposium is also returning for the first time since 2011. Held on 16 October 2024 at the Library, the symposium will provide an opportunity for ������Ʒ water researchers to present their work in person.

An exhibition for everyone

Committed to advancing progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, the cross-cutting topics of climate change and equity are at the forefront of ������Ʒ-GWI ‘s work, and are also reflected through many of the Living Water exhibitions.

������Ʒ-GWI Director Professor Greg Leslie says that the Living Water exhibition should be explored by all staff and students—and not just those have a specific interest in water.

“The beauty of the Living Water exhibition is that everybody can take something valuable away from what they see and explore,” says Professor Leslie.

“This could be education on a technical aspect of water treatment, inspiration for an impactful research approach, pride in what ������Ʒ has achieved over 75 years, or the simple enjoyment of absorbing the photos and creative depictions of water in its various shapes and forms.”

Living Water received funding support from the Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture,��Faculty of Business,��Faculty of Engineering,��Faculty of Law & Justice,��Faculty of Science, and ������Ʒ Library.

Living Water will run until 15 November 2024, and a full list of exhibits is available on the .