Research Focus: Water, Gender, Governance

WWAIWG Impact:
Where else would a feminist social worker like me from India have a welcoming space in the UK to learn, share, reflect about ever changing inequalities?! I now eagerly wait for our weekly meetings to rant/ vent, plan and organize ourselves in challenging these global inequalities!

Hobbies and Interests:
Perpetual cycle of Dreaming – Critiquing – Dreaming about how to change the world, Playing board games, Crocheting, Dancing (actually, teaching and making people dance), Organizing/ Mobilizing, Tweeting/ YouTubing. Overcame Social Media addiction. Still fighting Netflix addiction.

Research Focus: Access inequalities to water and sanitation in informal settlements

WWAIWG Impact:
Feminism had a pivotal role in the construction of who I am as a woman and activist, and once you start seeing the world through the lens of power imbalances, you can never ‘unsee’ it, in all spheres. Fighting for more equal and inclusive spaces is something that drives me, and having found this group within academia made me feel belonging, reassured, and more empowered. I believe we can make change wherever our scale is, so expanding our group conversations and studies to whoever is interested out there is already a big, big win!

Hobbies and Interests:
Being a Brazilian is part of my identity: I am ever so passionate about our music, poetry, dance and literature. I’m always in for lazy, cosy days with friends over laughs and endless conversations about life. As a self-confessed perfectionist, I’m super interested in psychology – and learning how to be more emotionally intelligent in our relationships with others and ourselves. I also love travelling and exploring, it’s one of my biggest life joys stepping into a new place for the first time!

Research Focus: Local authorities decision-making and accountability processes governing access to sanitation

WWAIWG Impact:
I have been working for many years in the field of water and sanitation, with a specific interest in how human rights language and legislation can change how we view inequalities and the people who suffer from them. In joining the WaterWISER CDT in 2021, I have been confronted by the inequalities within academia, and was therefore happy to discover the inequalities working group soon after joining the CDT, and am still learning!

Hobbies and Interests:
I live in Berlin, where I study, work, and look after a small dog and my daughters when they let me. I knit fairisle hats during Zoom calls to keep me engaged in the discussions.

Research Focus:  The Sachet Economy and barriers to refill retail as an alternative, with a focus on South East Asia.

WWAIWG Impact:
I’m surrounded by incredible researchers and academics who are passionate about contributing to the alleviation of social and environmental injustices, but the sheer scale of global inequality in all its forms can be overwhelming. For me, this group is a safe space to learn from others, to question what I think I know, and to make sense of how we impact and can avoid contributing to inequality through our research and daily lives.

Hobbies and Interests:
When I find time for hobbies I like to read, walk, do yoga, go to concerts, stroll around an art gallery in a new place, and get creative myself on occasion – usually with a child or two by my side. As a vegetarian for over 35 years, I’m interested in nutrition and food security and am a keen cook with a passion for bread making. My career in the waste sector makes me extra conscious of our everyday impact on the environment – I am no fun at all at a party with disposable tableware!

Research Focus: Engaging menstruators and non-menstruators in participatory menstrual health projects in humanitarian settings.

WWAIWG Impact:
Joining WWAIWG has shaped not only how I work within my PhD but also my worldview. It provides me a space to continuously confront my internal biases and ways of thinking. What I have learned from this group is invaluable.

Hobbies and Interests:
Meditation, yoga, cooking spicy noodles, eating spicy noodles, dancing, sitting, lying down, staring at trees, being next to trees, hugging trees, staring at the sky, staring at the ground, staring at nothing, talking to people, not talking to people, listening, trying to pay attention, regretting eating spicy noodles.

Research Focus: Climate-change resilient infrastructure and development

WWAIWG Impact:
I’m a firm believer that if all problems in the world were technical, humans would have solved them all by now. I joined the WWAIWG to explore ideas and literature centred in challenging the systemic structures causing inequality, aiming towards a more equitable society.

Hobbies and Interests:
In my free time, I like to attend live music events (where I might dance, albeit not very skilfully!), cooking and eating, as well as playing sports such as football and cycling.

Research Focus: The social aspects of freshwater pollution, particularly communities’ responses and awareness of “invisible” pollutants.

WWAIWG Impact:
In 2023, I joined the WWAIWG, channelling my efforts into addressing inequalities and fostering collaboration to produce tangible outcomes that contribute to positive change. Currently, I help to attain this by supporting the group’s podcast and workshop planning initiatives.

Hobbies and Interests:
Outside of my research endeavours, I enjoy walks in nature, finding inspiration in art, and immersing myself in live music.

Research Focus: Regulating faecal sludge emptying and transport to scale safe services.

WWAIWG Impact:
I’ve worked in water and sanitation in low income settings for about 20 years. It’s taken me about that long to understand how deeply racist our sector is, and how our colonial history is still an integral and damaging part of how we work. This group has been an amazing source of ideas and reading to start to (try to) decolonise my own mind.

Hobbies and Interests:
I have a four-year old son and work part time as a technical advisor in a not-for-profit, Water & Sanitation for the Urban Poor. Both are very interesting!

Work Focus: Recently, my work has mainly focused on audio post-production for film & TV. My goal is always to try and enhance narrative and emotional impact through perspective, texture, ambiences, and balance.

WWAIWG Impact:
In 2023, I was asked to join the WWAIWG team to help with the technical side of producing their podcast. I am very excited to be able to help get their voices heard on the subject of decolonisation. It is a pleasure to be involved with such an inspiring, fantastic group.

Hobbies and Interests:
I enjoy being around and involving myself in art and live music. I write and perform music and enjoy recording and mixing other musical projects when I find the time. Having spent most of my childhood out in the sticks, I very much enjoy walks in the countryside and love enjoying a drink with friends.