To tackle the overuse of Australia's critical water resources and the challenges posed by climate change, a team of leading water economists is joining Flinders University.
Their long-term aim is to improve the management and allocation of water in the Murray-Darling Basin and evaluate water scarcity's impact on regional and farming communities.
By combining their decades of expertise with Flinders cutting-edge resources, economists and PhD students, the newly formed water economics and resources group will shape policies that influence the allocation of water resources in the Murray-Darling Basin, water markets, sustainable farming, and impacts of drought and flooding.
Led by the winner of the 2023 Jill Hudson SA Environment award and the Economic Society of Australia's 2024 Distinguished Public Policy Award winner, Professor of Water Economics Sarah Wheeler, the team of economists also includes One Basin CRC leader Professor Neville Crossman, and ARC Future Fellow Professor Alec Zuo.
The experts are collaborating with industry stakeholders and regional communities in the pursuit of solutions to water scarcity, reallocation and other resource problems.
Professor Sarah Wheeler says the informed exchange of water and its various values to society, agriculture, industry, environment and First Nations are more important than ever in Australia amid the growing impacts of climate change, environmental degradation, falling farming returns and technological shifts in agricultural practices.
"I'm incredibly excited for my team of ten to join Flinders and to be a part of the Centre for Social Impact and the National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training. Flinders researchers have a reputation in striving to have real world impact, which aligns with my team's research goals and aims."
CRC Leader Professor Neville Crossman is really excited to return to Flinders after completing his studies over 20 years ago.
"I'm looking forward to working with leading researchers in Centre for Social Impact, Flinders Factory of the Future and The National Centre for Groundwater and Training to solve large multi-disciplinary challenges posed by declining and more stressed water resources in Australia and internationally."
ARC Future Fellow Dr Alec Zuo says Flinders' research strengths in water resources, climate change and its socio-economic impacts provide an ideal research environment for a Future Fellowship quantifying the impacts of droughts in rural and regional Australia.
"I appreciate Flinders University's significant contribution towards my Future Fellowship and look forward to creating synergies with colleagues in College of Business, Government and Law and the wider University."
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Raymond Chan congratulated the group of economists on their appointments.
"This collaboration highlights the University's pursuit of knowledge that makes a positive and real-world difference to the community it serves. This group is made up of global experts in their fields, and we look forward to seeing their immense contribution on informing policy and best future practices."
Vice-President and Executive Dean, College of Business, Government and Law, Professor Michael Gilding says the water economists bring with them strong national industry and research collaborations.
"Driving innovation and advancing the field of water and resource economics, this talented group of researchers have a strong track record of publishing high-calibre research that informs future policy on the management of our natural resources and we look forward to them joining BGL."
