Environment and water

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Working together to protect our natural resources

We’re firmly in nature’s corner. With world-recognised expertise in identifying and understanding natural patterns and processes, we undertake a steady stream of successful environmental research projects with local, national and international partners.

Finding solutions to environmental challenges, including increasing emissions, resource depletion, waste management, fragile and threatened ecosystems, and unsustainable consumption, requires collaboration between universities, industries, landowners, supply chains and the wider community. 

At Adelaide University, our findings support policy and action on habitat reclamation and rehabilitation. Our insights inform species conservation and ecosystem sustainment. For today, tomorrow and a better future for generations to come.

What we do and how we partner

We believe that developing sustainable strategies and solutions to restore and protect our environmental resources is a shared effort. Supported by advanced facilities, Adelaide University connects partners with leading experts in environmental science, engineering, construction management, water policy, ecology, geospatial science, governance and policy, architecture, design, planning, psychology and more.

Whether we’re collaborating on challenges like water security and catchment management, climate adaptation, biodiversity and habitat restoration, pollution control or sustainable planning, we work to understand our partners’ needs and co-design solutions that build resilience across urban, agricultural and natural ecosystems.

Our researchers and students work with government, industry and community on a wide range of initiatives and projects, including:

  • Finding new strategies for waste reduction and consumption
  • Promoting low carbon living and behaviour change to achieve more sustainable cities 
  • Using sunlight to deliver safe drinking water
  • Developing tools to accurately track water-related costs
  • Using technology to support wastewater-based epidemiology
  • Understanding the impact of sub-glacial heat flow.
  • Precision agriculture, irrigation and crop modelling
  • Food safety, nutrition and functional foods
  • Viticulture, wine production and sustainability
  • Land management, biodiversity and climate adaptation
  • Data analytics, AI and digital agriculture solutions

Explore our capability and impact in environment and water

Our ambition is to be world leading and world referenced, achieving recognition for driving positive change through education, research, and collaboration. We measure our success by the societal benefit we deliver; shaping knowledge, improving lives and strengthening communities through what we do and who we partner with. Together, we can create real-world impact.

Our aspirations include:

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Australia's most connected university

Building on our 7,000 strong partnerships with industry and collaborators

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Top in Australia for student employment

Aims to be ranked as the best university nationally for student employment outcomes

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Top 1% of universities worldwide

Aims to be sustainbly ranked in the top 1% of universities globally

With a focus on excellence and equity, Adelaide University’s world-class research centres work closely with industry on projects that deliver transformative insights, advice and plans for action.

Centre for Markets, Values and Inclusion

Addressing the global challenge of sustainable, socially responsible and efficient resource management. 

Centre for Sustainable Infrastructure and Resource Management

Researching sustainable infrastructure, asset management and circular‑economy solutions for the built and natural environments. 

Environment Institute

Delivering the knowledge needed to halt and reverse environmental decline and ensure a future that is healthy, diverse and equitable. 

Future Industries Institute

Solution-focused research that is responsive to the needs of industry and the community.

Health and Biomedical Innovation

eading research into the human body and its interactions with the environment around us to inform knowledge of health and disease. 

Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing

Applying the unique properties of Quantum to deliver devices that have new capabilities in telecommunications, defence and medical sciences, supporting water and remote monitoring systems.

Waite Research Institute

Building capacity for Australia's agriculture, food and wine sectors.

Water Research Centre

Solving water issues in contested and complex basin water management, digital water systems, engineering optimisation, urban design, water economics and law, and much more. 

Adelaide University offers bachelor, master, PhD, and executive programs aligned to sector needs, helping partners develop skills, build capability, and grow the workforce.

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Extend your career in an environment and water-related industry

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Find a research project: explore PhD and industry collaboration opportunities

Contact us

Get in touch to explore how Adelaide University can support your business goals. Make an enquiry online or call us to discuss partnership opportunities.

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Enquire

Please contact our partner enquiries team via the enquiry form.

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Call

You can also contact the partner enquiries team by phone on +61 8 8302 3482