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Rebekah Brown

Research Interests:

picture of Rebekah Brown

Current Teaching & Supervision Roles

In addition to numerous supervision roles, I am currently the coordinator of the Masters of Corporate Environmental and Sustainability Management Program in the School of Geography and Environmental Science, Monash University.

Corporate sustainability management (6 points)

Perspectives on environment and sustainability (6 points)

Sustainability measurement (6 points)

For more information see:
http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/ges/pgrad/mcesm.html

Also, I currently co-teach a 10-day field-based unit in Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera:

  1. Cultural Landscape, Environment and Sustainability in Italy (GES3260/ENV4260)

For more information see:
http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/ges/whatsnew/pdf/ges_italy.pdf

Current Research Projects (2004-2006)

1. National Urban Water Governance Program

The National Urban Water Governance Program is a group of social research projects coordinated through the School of Geography and Environmental Science that aim to provide a credible knowledge base that will effectively inform and assist urban water managers to build institutional capacity, improve water governance and deliver more sustainable forms of water management. The research is concentrated through three case studies: Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane.

Research Partners: Melbourne Water, Brisbane City Council, Yarra Valley Water, South East Water, City West Water, Municipal Association of Victoria / Clearwater , Healthy Waterways (Moreton Bay Waterways and Catchments Partnership), Water Corporation, Department of Planning and Infrastructure (WA), City of Armadale (WA ).

More information: http://www.urbanwatergovernance.com/

2. Facility for Advancing Water Biofiltration (FAWB): Policy and Organisational Receptivity

A large interdisciplinary research project that is focused on advancing the adoption of water biofiltration technologies in Australia. The research activities of this Facility are directed at the design and operation of water biofiltration systems for improved water quality, and the facilitation of the adoption of these technologies in the urban environment. The Policy and Risk program explores the institutional dimension, focusing on the needs of an enabling policy context, and understanding the role of risk perception as it constrains and/or enables the implementation of water biofiltration technology.

Research Partners: Ecological Engineering, Melbourne Water, Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board, Auckland Regional Council (NZ), Landcom, VicRoads, Manningham City Council, Brisbane City Council

More information: www.monash.edu.au/fawb

3. Advancing Organisational Receptivity to Alternative Water Sources

This 3-year project examines the critical factors that prevent or encourage the use of alternative water sources (including rainwater, stormwater, treated greywater and wastewater) by Victorian urban water management organisations. It will use this knowledge to develop practical guidelines for managers within organisations so that they can deliver the intent of the Victorian Government White Paper Our Water Our Future.
This project contributes to Monash University's broader National Urban Water Governance Program (http://www.urbanwatergovernance.com/ ) that aims to provide a reliable knowledge base for water managers to improve institutional capacity for advancing sustainable water management across Australia.

Research Partners: Victorian Water Trust

More Information: http://www.urbanwatergovernance.com/

4. Community Sustainable Water Planning:

RiverLife - Sustainable Water Environments Project, Marrickville Council, NSW.
This project aims to produce a new way of planning for sustainable water in New South Wales, building on previous research that identified key problem areas in stormwater planning. This project involves trialing 'bottom-up' local community planning at the neighbourhood level for sustainable water management. It focuses on in-depth involvement of the community for the identification of local water issues and the design of solutions.

Research Partners: Marrickville Council (NSW), Department of Planning, Infrastructure and Natural Resources (NSW )

More information: www.marrickville.nsw. gov. au/csc/environment/riverlife/sustainablewaterplanning.htm

Selected Recent Publications:

http://www.urbanwatergovernance.com/publications.html

Other Research Activities:

Education

Industry Experience

I have specialised in environmental and sustainability issues in the water sector as both a professional consulting engineer, and then a social science researcher, over the last 15 years. I was awarded the Australian Ove Arup & Partners Fellowship for Excellence in Engineering Studies upon graduation in civil engineering. Following this, I commenced an eight year career as an industry consultant, focusing on improving water quality and water conservation in large-scale infrastructure projects, such as the C hannel Tunnel Rail Link (UK) and the Bangkok Yannawa Wastewater Scheme (Thailand) and various projects in preparation for the 2000 Olympic Games (Australia).

Experiencing many socio-political challenges with trying to advance more sustainable water management, I retrained as a researcher so I could critically understand and address this significant problem. In 2003, I was awarded the first interdisciplinary PhD across the social and physical sciences by The University of New South Wales. This PhD focussing on institutional development for improving urban stormwater management. I have undertaken a number of independent consulting projects over the last five years across NSW , Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland for both state and local governments, advising on institutional development and policy application in the water sector.

Address

Room No: S112A, Menzies Building

More info at: http://www.urbanwatergovernance.com/publications.html 

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