Australian Water Research Facility (AWRF)

Project date

November 2005 - November 2009

In recognising that research can improve the impact and effectiveness of Australia’s aid program, AWRF has been established to contribute to AusAID’s development cooperation program in the water sector.

Research activities  

AWRF focuses its research on the fragile nation states of the Pacific, with case studies in East Timor and the Solomon Islands. AWRF works closely with in-country counterparts and AusAID to ensure that research activities address pressing development issues, are in-line with government and AusAID priorities and build linkages between local and Australian researchers. 

Research approach

In implementing research activities for AWRF, the IWC is adopting a whole-of-water-cycle approach. This acknowledges the integrated nature of social, environmental and economic interactions within a catchment. A whole of water cycle approach encourages the integration of water related  issues, drawing links between water and poverty and health, the adoption of long-term planning and encouraging community participation.

Collaborative effort

AWRF is a collaborative research effort by all four IWC member universities with a team of expert natural resource managers, aquatic ecologists, community development specialists, anthropologists, environmental modellers and more.

AWRF projects

Applied research conducted through the AWRF includes:

• examples of creating global indicators from understanding the links between water and poverty
• catchment risk management in the South Pacific islands
• NGO partnerships and capacity development in the water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector.

AWRF publications