What is a Water Cooler?

The U of M Water Network Water Cooler is a virtual space where anyone interested in water can socialize, meet others, and have informal, open discussions. 

General Water Coolers have no set topic or agenda. Network members receive calendar invites with links for participation. Drop in to meet some new colleagues! 

Topical Water Coolers have a pre-set discussion focus, chosen by you, the members of the U of M Water Network. Perhaps you want to get some feedback on an idea, hear more points of view on a water issue, or expand your network.  To create a Topical Water Cooler, send an email with the topic that you have in mind and the day/time slot you want it scheduled. We will help you advertise your water cooler and we encourage you to also advertise through any other channels you wish. 

Spring 2023

Jan 31, 2023 at 12pm - Bob Sterner - virtual water poster session brainstorming

Feb 17, 2023 at 12pm - Theresa Smiley - implementing soil conservation practices with an unlikely collaboration

Fall 2022

Dec 16, 2022 at 12pm - Stuart Deets: Cultural Water Studies: Exploring the cultural dimensions of water. 

Dec 9, 2022 at 12pm - Cate Bruns: Reflections from the (Grape) Field: Integrating Community Wine and Climate Knowledge in Bottom-Up Research Design

Dec 2, 2022 at 12pm - Alex Frie / John Downing: Topic TBD

Nov 18, 2022 at 12pm - Lesley Lydell: Finding your work in the UM Public Engagement Footprint: Data and Insights 

Nov 15, 2022 at 12pm - Stephen Streng: Ask me anything about SPARC and how we can help.

Nov 8, 2022 at 12pm - Jon McDaris: Using historical groundwater chloride data to pick targets for continuous monitoring

Nov 1, 2022 at 12pm - Bonnie Keeler: Investigating the distribution of water quality benefits and burdens along the Mississippi River

October 28, 2022 at 12pm - Jeff Broberg: Introduction of Minnesota Well Owners Organization (MNWOO)

October 25, 2022 at 12pm CDT - Megan Kocher, Allison Langham-Putrow, and Nancy Sims: The benefits of making your work open access (and how to do it)

Spring 2022

April 28, 2022 at 12pm - Andy Erickson and Tiffany Sprague: Update on the Water Circle: Creating a Stormwater Research Center of Excellence

April 21, 2022 at 12pm - Bonnie Keeler

April 18, 2022 at 12pm - Richard Strong and Matt Tierney: Drawing Water: A new tool for Visualizing and Optimizing Water Data

April 14, 2022 at 12pm - Lynne Schoen: Water related funding

April 11 at 12pm - Jeff Peterson

April 4, 2022 at 12pm - Lucinda Johnson: Democratizing access to spatial data: A tour of the NRRI's Natural Resources Digital Atlas and Visualization Tool

March 31, 2022 at 12pm - Cate Bruns: Early career water symposium workshop

March 28 , 2022 at 12pm - Jeff Standish: Update on the Water Circle: Water in the SDGs

March 24, 2022 at 12pm - Crystal Ng Topical: Collaborative and accountable work with Tribes around water and wild rice.

March 7, 2022 at 12pm - Lynne Schoen Topical: Water related funding.

March 3, 2022 at 12pm - Tony Runkel Topical: What does geology have to do with water?

February 24, 2022 at 12pm - Bob Sterner Topical: Science meets surfing in a unique example of science-art and public engagement.

February 14, 2022 at 12pm - Melissa Kenny Topical: IonE Impact Goal RFP

February 7, 2022 at 12pm - Nick Phelps Topical: Aquatic invasice species research at the UMN.

January 31, 2022 at 12pm - General Water Cooler: Hosted by Andy Erickson

January 24, 2022 at 12pm - General Water Cooler: Hosted by Andy Erickson

Fall 2021

December 14, 2021 at 12pm - John Downing & Alex Frie, Topical: The interface of science and policy - unique opportunities for U of M grad students

December 7, 2021 at 12pm - Bonnie Keeler, Topical: What is clean water worth?

December 3, 2021 at 12pm - Afton Clarke-Sather, Topical: Drought in Minnesota 

November 16, 2021 at 12pm - Euan Reavie (NRRI), Topical: Overview Laurentian Great Lakes Research at the Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI). 

November 12, 2021 at 12pm - Pat Nunnally, Topical: Our topic will be community engagement in University water work: with whom? to what ends? 

November 2, 2021 at 12pm - Cate Bruns, General: There is no set agenda, but Cate is particularly interested in discussing new ways to support grad students doing water work 

October 28, 2021 at 9am

October 19, 2021 at 1:30pm

October 15, 2021 at 11am

October 7, 2021 at 10am

September 29, 2021 at 3pm

September 20, 2021 at 12pm