About Us

DCU Water Institute - About Us

DCU Water Institute is an international centre of excellence for water research.

Our goals are met through knowledge and research partnerships and underpinned by technological advances and policy:

Improve and advance basic knowledge of physical, chemical, biological and engineering processes in aquatic systems
Enhance the understanding of human attitudes to and interactions with water
Develop and promote improved methodologies for water management
Inform policy based on a foundation of science, engineering and computing technologies

DCU Water Institute has had significant success in attracting funding for its world-class water research. This has enabled us to focus on key activities such as pioneering novel technologies, creating space for research talent to flourish, addressing real-life challenges and influencing behavioural change.

Our projects involve national and international collaborations. We have worked with numerous government bodies, academic institutions, industry partners and state agencies to deliver cutting-edge research outputs. We ensure that these outcomes are clearly and effectively communicated to a wide audience, highlighting the impact and excellence of our research.

Research at DCU Water Institute is focused on four main themes: Water and Health; Energy and Agriculture; Marine, and Governance and Society. Our concentration on these areas is designed to ensure the sustainable development of the Institute in the coming years

Values

Research Integrity and Excellence

To ensure all research is carried out with the highest integrity using excellent research standards and practices

Knowledge Transfer

All research will be impactful and will be translated to knowledge for dissemination to all stakeholders within society

Doing More with Water

We will work to change how we value and use water resources

Drive Innovation

To encourage curiosity, motivate new ideas and strive to exceed expectations through innovative practical solutions to the global water challenges we face today

Foster a Culture of Collaboration

Teamwork internally and collaboration externally will be fostered within DCU Water Institute

Strategic Objectives

Delivery of innovative engineering, science, data analytics, DSS and knowledge transfer of multidisciplinary research and innovation capabilities.
Development of novel strategies, capability and excellence in bio-design approaches for water management and future emerging technologies.
Partnering with academia, industry and agencies to support the commercialisation of discoveries and transformative approaches.
Monitor and track projects, and build trust in the use of technology to inform regulation and policy.
Attract, select, motivate and retain talent with innovative skills, and advance the design and deployment of technological solutions without harm.
Achieving societal impact and the way people behave around water.

Our Strategy

The Strategic Plan 2022-2025 is based on three pillars that represent a pathway towards achieving our vision. Each pillar is assigned a series of strategic objectives SO1 to SO6 and associated actions. The success in achieving each objective is reviewed on a quarterly basis with the assistance of the advisory board.

Strategic Pillar	Strategic Objective	Action
Pillar 1: Technology Innovation Design, development and deployment of technologies using a hierarchy of approaches, taking into account need, demand, market uptake and disruption.	Delivery of innovative engineering, science, data analytics, decision support systems and knowledge transfer of multidisciplinary research and innovation capabilities.	Lead on the development of test and demonstration infrastructures to transfer research from the lab to the field.
Pillar 1: Technology Innovation Design, development and deployment of technologies using a hierarchy of approaches, taking into account need, demand, market uptake and disruption.	Development of novel strategies, capability and excellence in bio-design approaches for water management and future emerging technologies	Using bio-inspiration to develop technologies for water management, through biofilm management, membrane and materials development.
Pillar 2: Policy and Impact Define a systematic approach to carry out high quality, relevant research whilst understanding policy processes and engaging with policymakers.	Partner with academic, industry and agencies to support commercialisation of discoveries and transformative approaches	Engaging with all stakeholders including policy makers to understand relevant research priority areas and interests.
Pillar 2: Policy and Impact Define a systematic approach to carry out high quality, relevant research whilst understanding policy processes and engaging with policymakers.	Monitor and track projects, and build trust in the use of technology, to inform regulation and policy.	Research outcomes must be measured, disseminated and transferred to all stakeholders impacting approaches and policies.
Pillar 3: People and Ethics To scientifically address societal needs and challenges we strive to engage the best talent and expertise to deliver solutions in an ethical fashion.	Attract, select, motivate and retain talent with innovative skills and to advance the design and deployment of technological solutions without harm.	Grow the Water Institute membership to further academic expertise. Along with retaining and expanding support staff and networks.
Pillar 3: People and Ethics To scientifically address societal needs and challenges we strive to engage the best talent and expertise to deliver solutions in an ethical fashion.	Achieving Water4All. Achieving societal impact and the way people behave around water.	Educate society on the value of water and water resource management within their communities and the impact they can make.