Studying the impact of climate change on water

Scott Jasechko’s research focuses on the impact of climate change on one of the most important resources on the planet – fresh water. He explores how changes to the global climate impact the ways the precipitation transforms into river water or groundwater and how those changes affect both humans and other terrestrial life forms.

“My research aims to provide foundational findings that will help use find enough water to reduce water stresses on humans, while also reducing impacts on ecosystems,” says Jasechko, assistant professor in the Department of Geography.

For Jasechko, collaboration is critical to researching such a complex issue. “Many of the world’s ‘wicked water problems’ are so intertwined that they require an interdisciplinary approach.”

Jasechko engages with colleagues and organizations locally and abroad to stay connected to the most pressing questions among the global water research community. Collaborating within and outside his discipline has given him the opportunity to be stretched beyond his own perspective and to understand how different kinds of researchers approach overlapping problems.

According to Jasechko, the broad scope of the Faculty of Arts has also benefited his research: “Within the faculty I’ve been exposed to a diverse group of individuals. It is a tremendous experience to work with colleagues who disseminate their research in different and sometimes non-traditional ways. Doing so continues to get me excited about alternative ways to approach my research, ask new questions and forge new partnerships.”

Jassechko is but one example of the critical and creative research, teaching and learning happening in the Faculty of Arts.

Energizing Arts 2017-22

Energizing Arts sets the direction for the Faculty of Arts over the next five years to engage, inspire and discover the world and its relationship to it through critical inquiry, creative practice and collaborative exploration.

The strategy is built upon three priorities:

• Critical and creative research, teaching and learning;
• Engaging communities; and
• Citizenship, diversity and inclusion.

For more information, please email artsdean@ucalgary.ca.