Working together for water

The world is full of water, but only a fraction of it is sufficiently clean, fresh water that is vital for life. Water crises are a fact. Agriculture devours water, while population growth and environmental issues are driving people into cramped slums with often chaotic water resource management. Wars and their refugees add to the scarcity of water, while climate change threatens to bring drought also to our doorstep here in Finland.

‘Water supply and management are such intricate interconnected issues that they can really give you a headache. However, we have no choice but to address these issues’, says post-doc researcher Maija Taka from the School of Engineering. Daily choices matter: bear in mind that the water footprint of beef is 10-fold compared to pulled oats and producing the cotton needed for a T-shirt takes 2700 litres of water. 

Realising that tackling these issues takes prompt action, the Land and Water Technology Foundation (Maa- ja vesitekniikan tuki ry) donated 2 million euros to Aalto University’s Water & Development Research Group, thus guaranteeing the graduate school Majakka an operating period of five years. 

Majakka, (‘lighthouse’ in Finnish), lights the way: the research areas of its six doctoral students vary from the water safety of city slums to the role of virtual water in global trade, with fieldwork conducted as far away as Cambodia. ‘Finnish expertise in water technology is in high demand’, says leader of Majakka graduate school Olli Varis, Professor for Water Resources Management.

From dissertation to working life

One of the key principles of Majakka is ‘getting out of Otaniemi’, i.e. making sure that research findings, rather than gathering dust on the pages of a doctoral dissertation, are used in real-life local decision-making, as they have been in, for example, as far as the Mekong River area in Southeast Asia. ‘You have to formulate the results so that they are ready for use by local operators. It is extremely motivating to know that you are solving a real-life issue and someone is waiting for your results’, says Taka.

The graduate school’s international advisory group plays a key role in ensuring that results are transferable and tangible enough. The doctoral students of Majakka have their eyes set on goals beyond their doctoral defence. ‘The dissertation is only one indication of the work done over four years. During that time, our students also gain vital skills for their future expert role, such as leadership, organisational and presentation skills’, says Varis. The students are encouraged to build networks and take responsibility, also in international arenas. ‘Our goal is to have all students do a part of their research work at a renowned university abroad’, Varis continues.

Unwavering support from start to finish

Too often, doctoral students seem to be left alone in the thesis writing process, because the thesis advisor is too busy. ‘Especially at the start of the process, having too much freedom is a risk. You need someone to say: “You should do this, start from here, and tell me if you need help”’, says Taka, who coordinates the group. ‘I walk the group through the process and they know I’m there if they need me. The group members are also a great help to each other, both in the research work and as mental support.’

As it may take up to two years to get the first article of an article-based dissertation published, the graduate school’s practices include setting interim goals for the students and discussing them weekly. They also have a host of multidisciplinary activities where “everyone learns from everyone”, such as a reading circle for discussing scientific articles or a shared session for tackling coding challenges.

Five years to focus

Time and money are often tight in research work. Funding periods are so short that there is little time for creativity when you have to soon start thinking about submitting new applications. ‘We are fortunate to be able to focus on research for five years and have a long-term vision. This doctoral program is every researcher’s dream’, rejoices Taka. 

Sometimes you have to slow down enthusiastic students a little. ‘When you love your topic, you want to learn everything about it, but you can’t include it all in your thesis. A good thesis has to have a clear scope’, Taka concludes.

Text: Marjukka Puolakka