Water Justice, Management and Governance

On-campus & remote (online) learning available. Students participate in interactive, real-time classes. 2026 class dates are: 9-23 June This course explores key challenges and debates in contemporary water management and governance and how these relate to water (in)justice. This transdisciplinary course draws on geography, economics, social and environmental sciences and policy to cover the following topics: · What is water justice?: key frameworks and links to water rights, equity and fairness; justice theory; · Competing uses as drivers of water (in)justice: Interconnections between water, social justice and socio-technical systems such as energy and food; · Justice dimensions of climate change and water infrastructure: environmental; distribution of costs and benefits; water pollution · Human right to water and sanitation: SDG 6 and interconnection with other SDGs, gaps in drinking water access in the Global North · Barriers to water justice: water and conflict · Water management & governance approaches: Indigenous and decolonial critiques; · Water justice counter- discourses: review and critique of exiting governance models; co-governance and legal pluralism The course combines research-based teaching by the conveners and guest lecturers with interactive learning activities. Over two weeks, participants will be encouraged to use their knowledge and experiences as a foundation for exploring diverse perspectives of ‘water justice’ in order to develop their capability to work in transdisciplinary fields. Students are invited to construct their own understanding of ‘water justice’ by interpreting the literature and, where relevant, contextualising it within their own experience of water injustice. Students will have the opportunity to gain insights into First Nations’ perspectives through the course readings and, when available, guest lectures. At the end of the course, students will be able to apply critical thinking skills to critique water management frameworks and policies.