2014 Inaugural Professorial Lecture Series - Professor Iain White
18 Nov 2014 6:00 PM
The more we know, the more we don't know: Flood risk management in the 21st Century'
How do societies manage uncertain environmental risks? Why is flooding so hard to manage? And how can we make water proof buildings?
Professor Iain White specialises in the field of environmental planning. His work takes an interdisciplinary perspective that aims to better understand the nature of environmental problems and how they can be addressed.
In his upcoming Inaugural Professorial Lecture Iain will provide insights into the difficulties in managing the risk of flooding and the new approaches to keeping water out of buildings.
He has been awarded research funds totalling over $2.5m from a variety of sources, including the European Union, various government departments and national research bodies, the private sector and the Asia Pacific Network.
His most recent project has involved researching the possibility of making houses resilient to flooding, from the materials used, to the institutional barriers, to the views of residents. The project involved seven different countries and resulted in new national guidance written in partnership with government, industry and citizens.
Prior to joining the University of Waikato as Professor of Environmental Planning in 2013, Iain was the Director of the Centre for Urban and Regional Ecology at the University of Manchester, UK. He holds a degree in Geography, a masters degree in Town and Country Planning and a PhD in Environmental Planning.
OPUS Bar open from 5pm
Tickets: Free and open to the general public