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Our Impact
We seek to have a positive and enduring impact through promoting the value and beauty of water. Our impact also lies in our solutions to the short-, medium- and long-term challenges to water security we face today.
Universities have a special role to play in this regard. No single discipline, person or profession can capture or understand the cultural and technical dimensions of water. However, as a university, we can bring those disciplines, people, and professions together. In doing so, we can have a real and enduring impact on communities across the globe.
Mine water
Our research into the management of water from abandoned mines earned global recognition. A desire to support local communities affected by mine pollution informed the project. After the closure of the coal industry in the North East, this project had local impact.
The work grew into a global research programme, integrating aspects including:
- new passive treatment technologies
- community outreach
- legislation
- industrial collaboration
The work, which is still ongoing, was recognised with a Queen’s Award.
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Kids Action Through Science (KATS)
The KATS project encourages young people to learn about environmental issues. The project enables them to become climate activists and global citizens. It aims to speed up action towards the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
The Water Security & Sustainable Development Hub created this project. It has since been delivered in the UK, India and Barbados.
Lab in a suitcase
Our suitcase lab for molecular microbiology enables microbial water quality testing anywhere in the world. This project has been highlighted as a research outcome and impact case study by UKRI and Newcastle University’s research blog.
It was also featured in a webinar on environmental DNA sequencing with Oxford Nanopore Technologies. As well as in its online resource centre.
We have delivered capacity building workshops around the world. Most recently, early career researchers with diverse backgrounds and skill levels attended a Pan-African workshop. This was hosted by the Addis Ababa Water and Sewerage Authority in Ethiopia.
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Capacity building and collaborative research with, NGO, Water for Cambodia
In 2022, we undertook a water quality analysis of the Siem Reap River with our partner, Water for Cambodia. Water for Cambodia is an NGO in Siem Reap that provides water filters and sanitation facilities across the district.
We’ve also enabled laboratory workers to undertake their own water quality analysis. Our "Lab in a Suitcase" has helped local lab workers begin their own research.
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Comparative learning and lessons
Our research also aims to compare water and health quality for communities around the world. We have shared questionnaire tools with local communities in:
- Ethiopia
- India
- Bangladesh
- Cambodia
- Malaysia
This research aims to compare water and health quality for populations living by rivers. We’ve translated these tools and trained local data collectors to assist with digital data collection.
This methodology has revealed similar challenges in several of our investigation sites. These collaborative projects have enabled researchers to share experiences and work collaboratively on common solutions.
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