Connections "along the pipeline" with groundwater researcher, Lucy Reading

In this Water Chat, our journey "along the water modelling pipeline" expands to consider the role of research. Throughout this series, we have spoken with colleagues with contrasting, yet connected roles in water management, highlighting the breadth of skills needed to fully collaborate in water management. Our next guest will take us into the world of groundwater research. This focus continues to play a vital role filling key gaps in systems understanding, knowledge and data, supporting the development of complex modelling tools and increasing sectoral capacity to better forecast the behaviours of water in the landscape.

Our guest Lucy Reading Associate Professor, Faculty of Science at QUT is well placed to discuss the role of research and its application to current water management needs with a groundwater focus.

Prior to her academic role, Lucy was investigating groundwater systems in the Lower Balonne, Fitzroy and Burdekin catchment with the Queensland State Government. Data collection has played an essential role during this time, which helped Lucy to establish models for chemistry, salinity risks and ways to assess potential impacts on groundwater from contaminants such as petroleum and coal seam gas. 

This applied research continued when Lucy took up a joint teaching and research role at QUT in 2015. Now, expanding her role as an educator is proving more important than ever as the issues associated with groundwater are now a must know feature for new graduates.

In this Water Chat, Lucy is keen to explore with us all how a complex system like groundwater can be better understood through a modelling approach. For example:

• Where does the role of monitoring fit in?
• How do the conceptual components of a model evolve?
• What are the limits to understanding impacts in groundwater systems

Along the way, your comments and questions will be readily sought. Consider coming prepared to ask a question; what might you like to know more about?

If you have an interest in water management, regardless of your role, this Water Chat will share some new perspectives on ground water as we tap into Lucy’s experience and integrated insights. It will be interesting!!!