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The Forum

Ever wondered about the type of research that is undertaken at the University of Adelaide?

In The Forum leading University researches will address big community issues in a panel format that give members of the community the chance to interact, ask questions, and have their say.

Introduction Time: 03:25  (flv 11MB) Professor Barry Brook Time: 06:38  (flv 20MB) Professor Wayne Meyer Time: 09:40  (flv 29MB) Associate Professor David Chittleborough Time: 12:06  (flv 36MB) Professor Graeme Hugo Time: 10:64  (flv 32MB) Question & Answers Time: 15:57  (flv 49MB)

Water Desalination Plants: A solution to water shortages or drain on the environment? In recent times much of Australia has been experiencing the effects of severe drought. Chronic water shortages have put pressure on governments to secure new sources of water. One option is the large-scale desalination of seawater. Apart from the obvious benefits, what are the negative implications? Have governments considered the high energy consumption levels and high costs of establishing and maintaining desalination plants? And what of the direct and indirect environmental effects?

	Download MP4 version for viewing on Video IPod, iTunes (mp4 61MB)
	Duration 1 hour / 60 MB

Professor Barry Brook

Professor Barry Brook, Director of the Research Institute for Climate Change and Sustainability at the University of Adelaide, is an international research leader in global ecology and conservation biology. He has published two authored books and over 130 scientific papers on various aspects of human impacts on the natural environment and biodiversity, including climate change, deforestation and overexploitation of populations. The principal motivation for his research is to identify ways and means of reducing extinctions and mitigating the worst ravages of global change.

Associate Professor David Chittleborough

David Chittleborough received his PhD in Pedology in 1982 at the University of Adelaide and joined the Department of Soil Science in 1983 where he began research on processes of non-point source pollution, specifically the impact of soil processes and soil management on water quality. He has a long-standing interest in natural resource science and management and is a member of the recently-formed Hydropedology Working Group of the International Union of Soil Science and Co-director of the Water Research Centre of the University. 

Professor Graeme Hugo

Graeme Hugo is a University Professorial Research Fellow, Professor of the Department of Geographical and Environmental Studies and Director of the National Centre for Social Applications of Geographic Information Systems at the University of Adelaide. Professor Hugo’s research interests are in population issues in Australia and South East Asia and he is currently working on reports on Migration and Development for the Australian Government and the Asian Development Bank.

Professor Wayne Meyer

Professor Wayne Meyer gained an Agricultural Science degree (1973) and a PhD in Agronomy (1977) from the University of Adelaide. He has been employed by the Water Research Commission of South Africa; several positions within the CSIRO; and is the inaugural Chair of Natural Resource Science within the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences. In recent times he has worked with researchers from a range of organisations on irrigated crop water use, salinity management, sustainable farming systems and modelling natural resource management systems.