Western participates in World Water Day with research panel and showcase

In celebration of World Water Day 2013 and the International Year of Water Cooperation, Western University and EnviroWestern are hosting a special interdisciplinary event on Friday, March 22 featuring researchers from the Faculties of Engineering, Science and Arts & Humanities.

Western researchers will share their latest findings and discoveries during a panel discussion while faculty, staff, students and industry partners will provide updates on city-wide projects and university initiatives led cooperatively by local environmentalists, hydrologists and water experts.The event, which runs from 12 to 2 p.m., will be presented in the Mustang Lounge (West) in the University Community Center (UCC). The expert panel, hosted by Beverley Ayeni, Western’s Energy & Environment Manager, begins at 1 p.m. A Q&A session for audience members will follow immediately.

Panelists include:

Brian Branfireun, Faculty of Science, Canada Research Chair in Environment and Sustainability
Patrick Mahon, Faculty of Arts & Humanities, Artist & Lead Researcher, Immersion Emergencies
Slobodan Simonovic, Faculty of Engineering, Research Chair, Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction

William Cairns, Chief Scientist, Trojan Technologies Inc.Community partners participating with booth presentations include:

The City of London
London Economic Development Corporation
Southern Ontario Water Consortium
Engineers without Borders
EnviroWestern
Western Sustainability Team, Facilities Management

World Water Day is held annually on March 22 as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. Each year, World Water Day highlights a specific aspect of freshwater.  In 2013, in reflection of the International Year of Water Cooperation, World Water Day is also dedicated to the theme of cooperation around water.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jeff Renaud, Senior Media Relations Officer, 519-661-2111, ext. 85165, jrenaud9@uwo.ca, @jeffrenaud99