2022 Publications Performance
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Monash Research Outputs: 123
Mean Field Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI): 1.37
3 Year Rolling Mean FWCI: 1.91
Improving Hygiene and Sanitation through Parental Skill Training
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Centre for Development Economics and Sustainability researchers in Monash Business School have shared the findings of their work on a parental skill training intervention program to improve hygiene and sanitation among families in rural Bangladesh. The researchers implemented two methods to promote good hygiene practices, hand washing and balanced-food provision aimed at families with new infants. Findings from the studies have shown long-term gains in better childcare practice during the pandemic and substantial holistic family improvement, with older children also benefiting from the parent’s training.
Overall, the research has highlighted the importance of filling the gaps in parental skill knowledge as it improves the quality of childcare and future child outcomes.
Other SDGs:
Biomolecules for Green Approach to Metal Removal
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Mining, fertiliser and pesticide runoff from intensive industrial and farming activity contributes to heavy metal pollution of our waterways. Conventional approaches to remedy this pollution are frequently ineffective and generate toxic sludge. Researchers at Monash University Malaysia’s School of Science have been working with Universiti Malaya and Universiti Sains Malaysia to explore the use of microorganisms, algae and plants for bioremediation of these polluted environments.
The research team’s latest study involved the use of exopolymeric substances (EPS), naturally occurring complex biopolymers produced by bacteria that are able to chelate and sequester heavy metals. These substances make attractive biomolecules for remediation of waterways, due to their environment-friendly nature and the ability to upscale their use. This study has significant benefits for green chemistry, in using EPS as the agent for metal removal in future wastewater treatment initiatives.
Unit Statistics and Highlights
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In 2022, Monash offered 78 units directly related to SDG6 with 4,464 total enrolments.
The units highlighted below are a small sample of the units at Monash relating to clean water and sanitation:
Citarum Program
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The Citarum Program is conducted through partnerships between Monash University and Universitas Indonesia with the Indonesian Government, communities and local NGOs. It aims to create clean, healthy and productive rivers and communities around the Citarum River by co-designing new infrastructure, behaviour programs, business models and institutions that seek to help communities move away from dumping or discharging waste into the environment, and shift towards circular solutions that recycle, remanufacture and reuse waste.
Intense field work was undertaken throughout 2022 to collect data for social, biophysical, and techno-economic research, and to integrate knowledge to create new research proposals for an international living lab on location in the upper Citarum river basin. With the reopening of international borders, the Monash team were able to return to the upper Citarum river basin, including visits with community and local government leaders at the riverside villages of Cibodas and Padamukti, where the living lab pilot will take place.
Other SDGs:
Revitalising Informal Settlements and their Environments (RISE) Program
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The Revitalising Informal Settlements and their Environments (RISE) program is utilising water sensitive technology innovation to transform quality of life across urban informal settlements in Indonesia and Fiji. Working with communities, governments, local leaders and partner institutions, RISE is co-designing location-specific solutions that integrate green infrastructure to strengthen the whole-of-life water and sanitation cycle.
During 2022, the RISE program completed its first large-scale settlement upgrade, covering more than 40 households at its demonstration site in Suva. Fijian Government representatives, program partners, and residents from the 12 participating communities gathered for a ceremony marking the handover of infrastructure to the community of Tamavua-i-Wai. The RISE partnership will assist Fiji achieve its target of 100 per cent of its population having access to safe and clean water over the next decade.
Water Sensitive Cities Australia
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Water Sensitive Cities Australia (WSCA), a multidisciplinary research-to-practice partnership, is working with governments, academics, development agencies and technical experts in Thailand, Viet Nam, Cambodia and Lao PDR on the Resilient Urban Centres and Surrounds (RUCAS) program. This DFAT-funded program uses urban water management as a catalyst to promote nature-based solutions for climate resilient Mekong communities, environments and economies. In 2022, RUCAS conducted missions in each country, establishing national teams, and delivered knowledge exchange events to multidisciplinary stakeholders towards deepening knowledge and understanding of nature-based solutions. In addition, the WSCA team has been expanding its extensive suite of resources and tools to accelerate water-sensitive transition in cities, including piloting an accreditation training course for water practitioners to apply the tools.
Other SDGs:
Building Standards
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The Monash Design and Construction Standards include a number of requirements to reduce potable water use including efficient fixtures and fittings, making campus landscapes more drought tolerant, and prioritising non-potable water options where possible.
Potable Water Consumption
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Harvested stormwater is used for irrigation of campus grounds and toilet flushing in multiple buildings across Monash. The University has reduced reliance on potable water through improved process efficiency for harvested water management. Water conservation, water harvesting and community awareness have been the main strategies in the University’s water management plan.
Total potable water consumption at Monash University’s Australian campuses was 432,369 kilolitres (kL) in 2022.
Stormwater Pollution
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The Grounds and Landscaping requirements of the Monash Design and Construction Standards places controls to ensure all construction activities are carried out in accordance with best practice guidelines issued by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria, and Melbourne Water to minimise risk of stormwater pollution, from contaminated runoff of chemicals, sediments, or other associated construction refuse.
Water Sensitive Urban Design
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Monash University campuses are preparing for water scarcity and flash flooding events as the campuses grow and develop. Our campuses are reducing their water demand and capturing stormwater to use as a water source to reduce the reliance on potable water. Our landscapes employ Water Sensitive Urban Design practices at a strategic scale to ensure that the campuses are purifying our water resources on campus, reducing peak damaging peak flow and maximising efficiency of our water harvesting systems and infiltration into our landscapes while also reinvigorating and reinstating natural waterway habitats.
