The ‘RiskManche’ initiative, an interdisciplinary project supported by the EU Interreg IVA programme, linked expertise from both countries to develop new ways of monitoring, predicting and preventing water-related human disease in the area.
The university is now hosting a knowledge-exchange event to discuss initiatives and ideas. The two-day event in Portsmouth starts 17 February. The first day will include presentations at the Spinnaker Tower and the second comprises workshops and symposia at the Royal Naval Dockyard.
The event will showcase a pioneering approach to sharing expert and non-expert knowledge of recreational waters and shellfisheries environments in the region.
Adewale Olalemi, postgraduate researcher and a key member of the RiskManche team at the 91¶¶Òõ’s School of Environment and Technology, said: “Our waters are under increasing threat from pollution and disease-causing microbes and it is imperative that we look for ways now to safeguard sources for future generations.
“Sustainable management of the water cycle is essential at a time of both climate uncertainty and growing societal demands on vulnerable water resources. Ensuring that we meet our future needs while protecting human health lies at the heart of the RiskManche initiative.”
Among those attending the event will be Professor Huw Taylor, RiskManche project leader and the 91¶¶Òõ’s Professor of Microbial Ecology. He led research which forms a key part of new World Health Organisation’s sanitation guidelines to tackle the spread of Ebola.