China Water Network

The China Water Network (CWN) is a postgraduate research-led platform initiated to catalyse enduring research collaboration. Under the guidance of Associate Professor Sarah Rogers and Professor Mark Wang from CCCS, as well as Professor Alison Browne, Professor Deljana Iossifova, and Professor Saska Petrova from the University of Manchester, CWN brings together early-stage researchers interested in China’s water-related topics across universities and disciplines.

It is a platform for communication, peer support and networking to accompany the professional development of researchers, through virtual meetings, on-site events and networking activities at conferences. Leveraging three consecutive rounds of Global Scholars Fund (22-23, 23-24, 24-25) granted by the University of Manchester, CWN amplifies and builds on the vibrancy of PGR research on China and water within Melbourne- Manchester strategic partnerships and CCCS’s global research network spanning UK, Australia, China, and Europe.

Key examples of CWN activities:

2022 – 2023

Three skills-building seminars, one networking event - 50 PGRs from UK, Australia, China.
Pre-Xmas networking session for Manchester-Melbourne PGRs on water research in China and Asia.
“Urban Sustainability and Water Security in China” seminar.
“Water Demand and Sustainable Tourism in China” seminar.

2023 – 2024

Interactive workshop with 15 PGRs/ECRs from Manchester at Hohai University, China.
Networking Afternoon Tea event at the University of Manchester.
Convened “China Water Network – New Environmental Geographies of China” session at Institute of Australian Geographers Conference (Perth), with Manchester/Melbourne PGRs and alumni (July 2023); led to special issue in Geographical Research featuring PGR/ECR research including new collaborative papers across CWN members.
Two symposiums on “Climate Change and Environmental Governance” 1) A/Prof Dr. Lo Tek Sheng (HKBU) 2) Prof. Mell (University of Manchester) and A/Prof Dr Ran (Hunan University).

2024 – 2025

Three hybrid, international seminars and interdisciplinary roundtables, showcasing PGR, alumni, ECR researchers from UK, Australian, Chinese institutions.
Convened three sessions on “Critical Water Research and Social Justice in Contemporary Asia” at RGS-IBG Annual Conference (London) September 2024- 14 paper presentations from PGRs and international scholars (UK, Australia, China, Netherlands) of all career stages.
Funded by Sustainable Consumption Institute to review of digital water research synthesising current and alumni PGR research across Manchester/Melbourne.

Follow the China Water Network on Twitter @ChinaWaterNet.