Global Water Sustainability Research Group (GLOWS)

Water is fundamental to the functioning of the Earth system: it regulates the planet’s climate and ecosystems and underpins the stability of life on Earth. Human activities are increasingly disrupting the water cycle and the critical Earth system functions it provides. Because human societies and economies ultimately depend on these functions, their protection is essential for long-term resilience. At GLOWS, we study how global freshwater change interacts with the Earth system and produce knowledge that can strengthen the recognition of water’s vital role in sustainability science, water governance, and conceptualisations of water security.

We work in a collaborative and respectful environment where different perspectives and interdisciplinary thinking are valued. Our work is guided by curiosity, openness, and intellectual humility, with a strong emphasis on constructive and honest communication and shared learning. We support individual growth while tackling big scientific questions together at a sustainable pace.

Our current work is carried out within two major projects: AQUAGUARD (funded by the European Research Council) and GloWater (in collaboration with SYKE, Aalto University, and FIIA and funded by the Strategic Research Council at the Research Council of Finland).