West Bengal Water Project: In conversation with SoGE alumni
Last week, OWN welcomed School of Geography and the Environment alumni to give a talk about their expedition experience to India. The audience learned about their journalism project showcasing local adaptation to climate change, as well as what it takes to organise an official Oxford University expedition, secure funding and deliver outputs afterwards.
During six weeks starting in October 2023, four graduates from the School of Geography and the Environment, including Water Science, Policy and Management alumni, travelled from Sikkim state at the foot of the Himalayan mountains to the Sundarbans Delta in the Bay of Bengal, covering 5,500 metres of elevation. Embarking on a mission to share how the region is adapting to climate change using innovative water management practices, the team learned about the methods used by communities to mitigate water-related risks and West Bengal’s water managers’ exemplary work. According to the team, their project was successful thanks to their partnerships with local organisations and generous support from funders. You can read about the project in more detail here.
"We were driven to understand how communities are adapting to shifting hydrological conditions, what innovative methods are employed to mitigate water-related risks, and whether West Bengal's water managers can serve as global exemplars. Our partnerships with local organizations made this project successful. We are thankful for the support from the Oxford University Exploration Club, Expeditions Council, and other funders."
Raphaela Betz, Patrick Robichaud, William Wallock, Victoria Taylor (WSPM 2022-2023) and
Susana Higueras (NSEG 2022-2023)
During the talk, the team reflected upon the overarching factors witnessed across different contexts and landscapes throughout their journey. The team members highlighted strong connections between different stakeholders, researchers, NGOs, communities and the government, as well as the link between community knowledge and research in designing the interventions. The alumni also shared their lessons learned. For the preparation period, persistence was key to getting funding. Getting to know the team, being prepared for the last minute changes and receiving cultural awareness training were crucial preparatory steps. Other insightful takeaways stressed the importance of working with local partners, such as regional students, remembering that you are representing the university and your funders and as a result, being careful with interviews and other media interactions.
The conversation continued in an informal setting over light refreshments where the audience asked questions about their own planned fieldwork, research interests, and their lived experience in the region.
In Michaelmas Term, OWN will be organising a stakeholder forum featuring West Bengal Water Project’s partners and Oxford University water researchers - stay tuned.
Photo and picture credits: Raphaela Betz, Patrick Robichaud, William Wallock, Susana Higueras, Onewater
