Post contributed by Auburn University Water Resources Center
Careers and research focused on water are vast. Whether you are interested in biology, engineering, or policy, there is a way to use your knowledge and skills to address water related issues. At Auburn University alone, there are nearly 20 different majors, a handful of minors, and various courses and certification programs related to water. This is great, but can be overwhelming for a student who is trying to chart his or her course. The Auburn University Water Resources Center (AUWRC) aims to help students by providing online resources that outline the various options for water-related studies. AUWRC also works to facilitate successful collaboration among Auburn University faculty and staff on multi-disciplinary, water-related research, outreach, and teaching.
Communications Talk: Participants in the AWR Symposium react during Dr. Waters’ presentation: “Commercials, Songs and Everybody’s and Expert: Thoughts on the communication of science.
A major way AUWRC achieves this goal is through its involvement with the Alabama Water Resources (AWR) Symposium & Conference. For over 30 years, representatives of agencies, universities, private consulting firms, nonprofit and other outreach organizations have been gathering at the Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach, AL during the second week of September to share research findings, successful applications of technology, outreach strategies, and to discuss the most pressing water issues of the day.
The 2017 AWR Symposium and Conference Agenda included a great array of talks from a diverse set of presenters. Some of the major themes included drought/climate issues, watershed management, aquatic ecology, and water policy/law.
Students are a major focus of this conference. They are encouraged to compete in both oral and poster presentations that focus on their research or outreach experiences with water. This past year, students studying Soils, Crops and Environmental Sciences, Biosystems Engineering, Fisheries and Allied Aquaculture, and Forestry and Wildlife Sciences represented Auburn University well in these competitions, winning and placing in both categories. Students are eligible for a discounted registration rate.
Presenters discuss their poster topics and answer questions during the conference Social Hour.
Participation in the conference is an excellent way for students to not only gain valuable information, but to also meet professionals from water-related fields (which could translate into a job opportunity following graduation!).
The 2018 AWR Symposium and Conference will take place on September 6-8, 2018 at the Perdido Beach Resort. Information regarding abstract submission and registration will be posted on the conference webpage. The call for abstracts is announced in early spring, and the deadline for submission is at the end of June. So mark your calendar and start brainstorming on your next and greatest presentation topic!
