Improving Water Security | Lecture 4 | Water Research as an Interface between Science and Humanities

Speaker: Professor Craig Sheridan | University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (South Africa)

Professor Craig Sheridan studied a BSc in Chemical Engineering at Wits University followed by an MSc in Wine Biotechnology from Stellenbosch University. Craig worked in the industry as an environmental consultant for a few years before returning to Wits as a lecturer in Chemical Engineering in 2010. Craig completed a PhD in 2013 on the mathematical modelling of constructed wetlands treating winery effluent. A co-founder of the Industrial and Mining Water Research Unit and the founder and director of the Centre in Water Research and Development (soon to be rebranded as Wits:H20), Craig currently lectures ‘Water and Society’ in the School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies and supervises honours, master’s and doctoral students. He is a past-president of the South African Institution of Chemical Engineers, is a fellow of and chartered engineer with IChemE (UK) and a registered professional engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa. He currently holds the Claude Leon Foundation Chair in Water Research. He was awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Research and Impact for his project in Alexandra Township on treating greywater in-situ using constructed wetlands. He currently oversees research on remediating mine wastewater through the lens of the circular economy by extracting critical materials. Craig’s entire research vision is entirely focussed on working to ensure water security, especially in South Africa.