Water: Science & Governance

Water Science and Governance combines pure and applied research methods from the social and environmental sciences. Gain an advanced understanding of the many contemporary, and often controversial, perspectives on water resource allocation and management. Examples from the UK and Europe, diverse water environments and differently evolved political economies worldwide.

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• Gain advanced interdisciplinary understanding of the contemporary challenges of diverse water environments around the world based on lectures and seminars informed by cutting-edge research and policy
• Explore the socio-economic, political and environmental aspects of water allocation and management through engagement with leading international scientists and professionals from the water sector
• Take advantage of the London location for excellent opportunities for professional networking and to seek potential internships and jobs

PURPOSEThe aim of the programme is to develop an ability to evaluate critically current and advanced scholarship as well as the practical experience of those working in the fields of water science and governance. It promotes initiative and the exercise of independent critical judgement in identifying, analysing and solving problems at an advanced level. Participants will acquire a wide range of relevant theory within a sustainability framework. They will discover how the diverse needs - of society, of the economy and of the environmental/ecosystem services provided by water - are addressed and mediated by political processes.

DESCRIPTIONThe MSc in Water Science and Governance is an interdisciplinary programme. It provides experience in combining pure and applied research methods from the social and environmental sciences.

Participants will gain an advanced understanding of the many contemporary, and often controversial, perspectives on water resource allocation and management and their implications for the functioning of the water environment.

This programme introduces a diverse range of natural science and governance perspectives on the water environment. Given the international experience of the team delivering the programme of lectures and seminars, participants will be exposed to examples from the UK and Europe and from diverse water environments and differently evolved political economies worldwide. In lectures and seminars participants will meet environmental scientists and professionals working in a variety of practical contexts. A feature of the programme is its engagement with such scientists and professionals and the involvement of such environmental professionals and policy makers from outside higher education in shaping and up-dating the programme. This engagement will also enable participants to gain insights into the different assumptions of stakeholders using, managing and regulating the water environment and its services.

EXTRA PROGRAMME INFORMATIONStudents must take one optional 20 credit module from a wide range available within the Department of Geography. Students may also opt to take both methods modules in place of the 20 credit optional module. Students who wish to take a further optional module (for a total of 200 credits rather than the required 180) may do so if they wish, with the programme coordinator’s approval.