In my last blog, The Next Generation of Innovation Leaders, I celebrated the value of academic collaborations and the transformative impact they bring to Anglian Water. As I sat down to write about the 2024 Student Summit, I questioned what new perspective I could add to the conversation.
While my previous blog explored the theory behind our partnerships, this one shifts the focus to practice—highlighting how these collaborations come to life.
The 2024 Student Summit
On November 6th, 2024, the Research and Innovation team welcomed over 40 PhD students, academics, and Anglian Water experts to our offices in Peterborough. The purpose of the summit was:
- Strengthening ties with key academic partners.
- Challenging students to think critically and innovatively.
- Equipping future leaders with the tools to thrive in their careers.
The day began with an inspiring keynote from Geoff Darch, Anglian Water’s Head of Supply and Demand. Geoff shared insights into how we’re tackling the pressing issue of water scarcity in our region through new reservoirs, water reuse, and desalination projects—all aimed at safeguarding water supplies for generations to come.
As someone who grew up in the Mediterranean, where droughts and water scarcity are everyday concerns, I’m glad to see our region addressing these challenges proactively. While water scarcity might seem like a distant issue for England, these interactions serve as a reminder of the critical forecasting work being done by Anglian Water.
Academic Insights
A highlight of the day was a thought-provoking panel discussion featuring three academics that collaborate actively in Anglian Water’s Research portfolio:
- Richard Cooper, Lecturer in Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia.
- Nick Voulvoulis, Professor of Environmental Technology, Imperial College London.
- Irene Carra, Senior Lecturer in Chemical Processes, Cranfield University.
The panel explored how to engage communities and shift public perceptions of water’s value. Their insights emphasised the importance of education and collaboration in driving meaningful change in how we view and use water.
The Power of Collaboration in Action
Anglian Water is fortunate to work with students who bring fresh perspectives, bold ideas, and a contagious passion to our shared challenges. Seeing their efforts first hand highlights the true significance of their contributions.
Throughout the summit, students funded by Anglian Water—whether individually or in collaboration with other water companies or SMEs—presented their research to an audience of Anglian Water experts. One word resonated throughout the day: passion.
In today’s competitive job market, it’s remarkable to see young talent dedicating their skills to scientific advancements that support the water industry. Their commitment deserves recognition and continued support.
The day also featured a session led by the @One Alliance recruitment team, focusing on career development and aligning student skills with future industry needs.
A Call for Collaboration
Thank you to everyone who contributed to making the summit a success. Your insights and expertise are helping Anglian Water—and the broader industry—achieve its ambitious goals.
If you have a research idea and want to contribute to Anglian Water’s innovation landscape, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Together, we can shape the future of water!
-Mar Batista Segui, Research and Insights Manager at Anglian Water
