University of Canberra

University of Canberra (UC) is a major university (14000 students) with significant education, research, research training and commercial expertise across the water space. Particular strengths include aquatic chemistry, freshwater ecology and freshwater genetics (via the Institute for Applied Ecology [UC-IAE]), water policy and governance (via the Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis [UC-IGPA]) and social sciences (via the Health Research Institute [UC-HRI]). UC has a long history of leadership in the water space, via the late Professors Peter Cullen and Richard Norris, and through leadership and involvement in a series of major water initiatives. These include the major freshwater CRCs, and an ongoing relationship as host to eWater Ltd., development of the national AUSRIVAS biomonitoring program, and leading the freshwater component in the Invasive Animals CRC. Most recently UC led the trans-disciplinary Murray Darling Basin Futures Cooperative Research Network. UC offers a BSc in Environmental Science with a strong emphasis on water, and offers graduate and community training in water chemistry, bioassessment and a range of quantitative skills. The commercial arm of UC-IAE is a significant consulting company with major partnerships into the private sector, and a range of clients including commercial companies, state agencies and Commonwealth departments.

Organisational Capability

  • 1. Freshwater ecology, particularly bioassessment and monitoring of flow responses.
    2. Aquatic chemistry, particularly ecotoxicology and heavy metal pollution.
    3. Social attitudes to water and analysis of social data.
    4. Water governance, in both domestic and international spheres.
    5. Wetland bioassessment and functioning.
    6. Fish ecology, including application of molecular skills.
    7. Floodplain ecology, including waterbirds, trees, frogs and turtles.
    8. Invasive species detection and management in freshwaters.
    9. Flow ecology and responses to environmental flows.
    10. Urban ecology, particularly of streams, lakes and wetlands.

Projects

  • ARC Linkage: Either side of the big wet
    Detailed empirical study of responses of biota to drought and rewetting. http://appliedecology.edu.au/project/either-side-of-the-big-wet-the-future-resilience-of-southeastern-australias-biota-2/
  • Projeto Amazônia Sustentável: Biodiversity patterns, processes and conservation in frontier landscapes of the Brazilian Amazon
    Environmental and economic drivers of deforestation. http://appliedecology.edu.au/project/projeto-amazonia-sustentavel-biodiversity-patterns-processes-and-conservation-in-frontier-landscapes-of-the-brazilian-amazon/
  • The Piku Project (PNG)
    Community led conservation program in Papua New Guinea. http://appliedecology.edu.au/project/the-piku-project-community-led-conservation-the-pig-nosed-turtle-carettochelys-insculpta/
  • Assessment of environmental flows: Lachlan River
    Commonwealth funded monitoring program of the effects of environmental flow management. https://www.environment.gov.au/water/cewo/publications/cewo-lti-lachlan
  • ARC Federation Fellowship: The Deliberative Global Governance of Climate Change
    A assessment of the key components for global governance of climate change. http://www.governanceinstitute.edu.au/people/fellows/person-2752/john-dryzek#research-projects
  • Invasive Animals CRC: New eDNA surveillance for multiple high risk invasive aquatic species
    Development of eDNA technologies for detection of aquatic invasive species. http://www.invasiveanimals.com/research/phase2/inland-waters/pest-fish-detection/new-edna-surveillance/