York University is taking a leadership role in addressing one of the world’s most pressing issues – water sustainability. The University is serving as the academic lead for a pioneering virtual course titled “Introduction to Big Data for Water Sustainability,” run by the United Nations Institute for Training & Research (UNITAR) Global Water Academy.
The seven-week course, which began recently and runs until Dec. 3, aims to tackle the complex challenge of global water insecurity. With more than two billion people lacking safe access to clean water, the need for innovative solutions in water sustainability management has never been more critical.
Professor Sapna Sharma in York University’s Faculty of Science, who designed the curriculum, emphasizes the urgency of the situation. “We are in need of practical and effective solutions to water sustainability management that are relevant at both local and global scales, and based on a data-driven strategy,” she says.
The course content focuses on harnessing the power of open-access data, novel technologies, inclusive international collaborations and Indigenous knowledge integration. By combining these elements, the project aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of water sustainability on a global scale.
A defining feature of this offering is its “two-eyed seeing” approach, which integrates Indigenous knowledge with western scientific practices. This comprehensive strategy aims to expand understanding of global freshwater availability, particularly in unexplored regions or areas with insufficient resource access. As Sharma points out, incorporating Indigenous knowledge is essential for developing effective water management solutions. “It allows us to tap into centuries of local expertise and understanding of water systems.”
Each module features an experienced practitioner guiding participants through the process of accessing, using and applying open-access global freshwater datasets. Topics covered include remote sensing technologies, community networks, traditional knowledge and increased accessibility of open-access data.
The project’s global reach is already apparent. “This free, open-access curriculum has approximately 750 registrants from about 120 countries,” Sharma says. “We have invited leaders from academia, [United Nations] agencies, governments, [non-governmental organizations] and Inuit communities … to present guest lectures.” This diverse participation not only showcases York’s international influence but also demonstrates its commitment to democratizing higher education. Furthermore, by providing high-calibre knowledge and training in water sustainability to a global audience, the University is helping to increase access to expertise, particularly for those in regions where such resources may be limited.
Building on this global collaboration, the course tackles several key challenges in water sustainability management. These include data accessibility, quantifying water insecurity and developing innovative solutions.
Despite significant annual investments in acquiring, compiling and analyzing data on various water bodies around the world, many researchers and practitioners struggle to locate and effectively utilize these datasets. This gap between data availability and practical application highlights the need for improved data management and sharing practices in the field of water sustainability.
To address these challenges, the course aims to foster creative, data-driven solutions that safeguard freshwater resources and promote equitable access to clean water worldwide. By equipping participants with the skills to navigate and leverage existing datasets, the initiative seeks to connect data collection with real-world application in water management strategies.
Looking ahead, Sharma envisions the curriculum as a catalyst for positive change: “We hope that this offering will provide the tools to inspire new approaches to safeguard our freshwater resources and work towards a future of equitable access to clean water across the globe.”
For more information and to register for the remaining sessions, visit the Introduction to Big Data for Water Sustainability course web page.