SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation
Research
Professor Caroline Edmonds, from UEL’s School of Childhood and Social Care, conducts research on hydration to explore the effects of drinking water on cognitive performance and mood. In 2023, Professor Edmonds published a collaborative paper on the barriers and facilitators to fluid intake in older adults. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that adults over 60 will make up 22 per cent of the global population by 2050. This aging population is associated with a higher prevalence of age-related diseases leading to increased economic costs and decreased quality of life. Dehydration is an often-overlooked factor in age-related disease, with older adults facing barriers to fluid intake due to health, mobility, and environmental factors. Working collaboratively with older adults, Professor Edmond’s research has identified target areas for fluid intake interventions and developed strategies to increase fluid intake and reduce hydration-related diseases.
Operations
UEL’s campuses feature several wildflower meadows that thrive without any artificial watering, relying solely on natural water sources. These meadows host a variety of insects and other wildlife.
In 2023, UEL installed several new water refill stations on campus, providing free drinking water for staff, students and visitors. Each station is equipped with a digital bottle counter that tracks every refill. In the first year alone, these stations have helped UEL eliminate more than 335,000 single-use plastic bottles. Check out their locations on our sustainability map.
Outreach
In December 2023, UEL’s School of Childhood and Social Care hosted a workshop to explore the vital intersections between menstrual health, human dignity, and access to clean water and sanitation. The workshop was attended by experts, academics, students, and other participants, both in person and online. Dr Meera Tiwari, Reader in International Development Studies at UEL, shared insights from her field research on dignity, social taboo, and stigma surrounding menstrual health in rural India. The cornerstone of Dr Tiwari's research is the development of dignity indicators, which measure the availability of menstrual materials, sanitation, and hygiene facilities, as well as information and support. Dr Tiwari’s research findings suggest that a focus on dignity has the potential to revolutionise menstrual health interventions, especially by addressing inequalities and taboos that limit opportunities for women and girls.
