Linnaeus Knowledge Environment: Water

Managing the Earth's water resources in a sustainable way is a major challenge. The purpose of the knowledge environment Water is to tackle this societal challenge by gathering and disseminating the knowledge required to create and manage a healthy water landscape.

Our society is facing great challenges within a number of different fields. Meeting these societal challenges with knowledge in creative environments that integrate education, research, and collaboration – knowledge environments – is something that permeates Linnaeus University’s vision and work.

Seven of the university’s knowledge environments have been appointed Linnaeus Knowledge Environment. These focus on the fields of education, materials, democracy, water, digitalisation, environment, and health. They all work interdisciplinary and link together subjects, departments, and faculties in order to get a broad take on the societal challenges within each field.

Learn more about what Linnaeus Knowledge Environment means and about the other knowledge environments.

Societal challenge: water

Water is essential for life on Earth. More specifically, reliable access to clean water is a major global challenge and a key issue for sustainable development.

The natural cycle of water involves transitions from land to sea and these are critically influenced by human actions. Thus, sustainable management of water resources represents a true societal challenge. Such a challenge cannot be resolved by a single discipline or organisation, but rather requires transdisciplinary knowledge and collaboration among different stakeholders in society.

In the Linnaeus Knowledge Environment Water we work together to contribute to a healthy water transition from land to sea. We consider water as an important resource we have to manage as well as respect. Importantly, the knowledge environment gathers a critical mass of knowledge required to obtain and inform on the management of a healthy water landscape. Our aim is to position the knowledge environment as a national and international hub for blue sustainability.

Research, education and collaboration

Our researchers come from a variety of faculties and disciplines with different perspectives on water. We also educate students on all levels directly about water and indirectly in issues related to sustainability and the UN's sustainable development goals. To achieve this, we also have a wide network of collaborations with external actors, both within and outside of academia, We also continuously welcome new collaborators and challenges rooted in everyday issues, from local to global.

Welcome to contact us about everything that has to do with research, collaboration and teaching in the field of water!

Approach

We conduct solution-oriented research leading to transformative actions in the Småland region, to strengthen two multidisciplinary research themes tackling urgent issues:

(I) Water as Resource

The goal of this research theme is to promote the shift from a mindset where water is seen as an open access resource, to one where it is sustainably managed and provides crucial ecosystem services to society (i.e., to avoid the “tragedy of the commons”).

Study factors influencing individual behavior and promoting sustainable water usage on domestic and municipal levels.
Explore industrial symbiosis to promote efficient circulation and reuse of water at the industrial level.
Determine innovative ways to monitor and manage water large-scale usage in the built environment and in agriculture.

(II) Water from Land to Coast and Sea

Understanding how global change influences the ecological status of natural waters is crucial to assure a constant provision of ecosystem services.

Study entrepreneurial scenarios for sustainable livelihood and value creation in coastal Småland and Öland with aquaculture, tourism and wellbeing.
Monitor biological and environmental parameters in coastal waters and rivers to inform climate adaptation measures and sustainable fisheries (both sport and commercial fishing), recreation and culture.
Explore the interconnections of animal, wildlife and human health in aquatic environments, through novel studies of animal movements and disease/antibiotic resistance distributions below and above the water surface, to inform societal stakeholders of threats to potable water and recreational uses.

Important features in both themes include strengthening the already close connection between Linnaeus Knowledge Environment Water research and education, to address the themes and contribute to the training of future water managers and researchers. To further broaden the curiosity and imagination in Water, and extend beyond a linear narrative on sustainable water management, we will collaborate with artists and designers to explore the waterways that are usually not explored. Citizen science initiatives will engage the broader society and bring about informed citizens able to influence decision makers on water in a sustainable society.

Current

News

Environmental researchers from Linnaeus University map out marine pollution in the Baltic Sea News
- 10 June 2020

Research

Our main two approaches for research are:

Water as resource
Water from land to coast and sea

More information about our research interests are found under the heading Approach above and in each research group below.

Research environments

Research projects

A list of all research projects carried out within the frame of the knowledge environment Water would be extensive. Please find the projects by clicking on the desired research group in the list under the heading Research environments above.

Education

Our education spans several faculties and departments. A list of our main programs is found below.

Programmes and courses

First-cycle level (bachelor, bachelor of science in engineering)

International Business Programme (180 credits; main field of study: economics)

In Swedish:

Biologiprogrammet (180 credits; biology)
Energi och miljö, högskoleingenjör (180 credits; bioenergy technology)
Enterprising & Business Development (180 credits; economics)
Miljöanalytiker (180 credits; environmental science)
Sjöingenjör (180 credits; maritime science)
Sjökapten (180 credits; maritime science)
Skog och träteknik, högskoleingenjör (180 credits; forestry and wood technology)

Second-cycle level (master)

Aquatic Ecology, Master Programme (120 credits; biology)
Entrepreneurship, Sustainability and Social Change, Master Programme (120 credits; economics)
Environmental Science and Sustainability, Master Programme (120 credits; biology)
International Business Strategy, Master Programme (120 credits; economics)
Sustainable Energy Processes and Systems, master programme (120 credits; bioenergy technology)

We also offer a large number of courses in English in the knowledge environment’s main fields of study. Carry out a search for courses in these subjects.

Collaboration

We often conduct our research in collaboration with other actors from the public sector, the private sector and the civil society. These collaborations are highly valued and they also provide added value in the education, for example through guest lectures and degree projects. We also work actively to make our activities visible through popular science lectures and other events.

Steering group

Jarone Pinhassi is contact person and chair of Water.