Articles
Dr Brett Snider, Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Dr Brett Snider - Water They Up To: CWS in the Spotlight
In our final 'Water they up to: CWS in the Spotlight' feature of 2021, we hear from Dr Brett Snider, Postdoctoral Research Fellow.
What is your research about?
I am a Postdoctoral Research Fellow assisting water utilities through their digital transitions. Specifically, my research highlights how the digital transition can build water system resiliency through real-time detection of crisis events through data analysis (IoT sensors, hydraulic models, social media, etc.). This research is being implemented throughout the UK and Europe with the Aqua3s and F4W projects.
What is the most exciting part about your research?
The most exciting part of my research is being involved in such large and diverse projects. These projects afford me the opportunity to learn from various water utilities throughout the UK and Europe. Furthermore, being a part of these projects demonstrates how my personal research focus on drinking water systems fits into the broader infrastructural ecosystems – like water cycles and urban environments. It is also great to be working alongside so many innovative researchers who also share my passion for water.
When thinking about water, what place comes to mind first and why?
The first place that comes to mind is Lake Superior, back in my home country of Canada. Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake (by area) and I grew up on its shores - swimming, canoeing, and camping. The northern shores of Lake Superior are one of the most remote and magical places I have ever been to. If anyone gets the chance, I would highly recommend camping in the Pukaskwa National Park or the Neys Provincial Park to revel in Lake Superior.
Which movie or book character would you most associate with water?
I can’t think of anyone in particular – so instead I will highlight the first book that drew my attention to water – 'The Cadillac Desert' by Marc Reisner. In it, Reisner describes the historical land development and water policies that shaped the way that the western United States developed and highlights the long-term impacts of these policies on water and the environment more broadly.
Date: 15 December 2021