Socio-Hydrogeology and the power of transdisciplinary sciences

Speaker: Dr. Viviana Re - Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra – Università di Pisa (Italy)

11.05.2021

Tuesday, 11th May 2021 – 4.30 PM
Webinar “Live” on-line at Zoom link: https://unipd.zoom.us/j/82978693795?pwd=TmlBSDBVRFVNL3NwTUpGSW8rWFdpQT09

Socio-hydrogeology has been recently proposed as a new approach targeted to the assessment of the reciprocity between people and groundwater. This approach roots its basis in transdisciplinary sciences, and in the belief that addressing the complex nature of the water cycle with a holistic approach can effectively lead to equitable access and long-term sustainability of groundwater resources.
In practical terms, by structurally integrating classical hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical assessments with social, behavioral and cognitive sciences, socio-hydrogeology aims at assessing the role of individuals and communities as a primary source, pathway and receptor of groundwater, and at understanding the impact of local know-how, risk perception and consumption on groundwater quality and quantity. In addition, within this approach a crucial role is played by public engagement and stakeholders’ analysis as two effective tools for building trust with (ground)water users and managers, thus fostering the implementation of sound science-based management practices for groundwater protection.