We have an exciting programme of expert speakers drawn from many different organisations, reflecting the wide variety of issues and challenges ito do with water in the 21st Century.
You can read more about the speakers below:
Main session speakers
Frank Greaves
is Tearfund’s WASH Adviser, and is primarily concerned with ensuring that the WASH programmes which Tearfund support, both in the relief and development context, are as effective as possible in terms of improving people’s access to safe and sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene practice. Frank has worked for Tearfund since 1989, and travels extensively in his role. He and his wife, Laura, have lived and worked in Honduras, Tanzania, and Turkmenistan.
Sue Yardley
is Tearfund’s Senior Policy Advisor on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and water resources management and leads the advocacy work of the organisation in this area. Sue has been with Tearfund for 3 years and prior to that has lived and worked in Uganda for a WASH NGO as well as being a Programme Manager for a Local Authority in the UK. Sue also co-Chairs the UK Water Network.
Barbara Brighouse
Having graduated in civil engineering Barbara conducted hydaulic modelling research for the British Hydromechanics Research Association in Cranfield. She later returned to university to study for a Masters degree in Water Management when her four children started to become (slightly) less demanding of her time. For the past four years she has been a Director of Christian Engineers in Development (CED) where she has conducted the design and oversight of water and sanitation projects in Tanzania, as well as helping to direct the work of the charity.
John Bimson
has taught at Trinity College, Bristol, since 1981, mainly in the area of Old Testament. A keen birdwatcher since childhood, he developed an interest in environmental issues and has promoted their inclusion in courses at Trinity College, recently launching an MA module on Mission, Environment and World Development. He is also a theological consultant for Operation Noah. He likes water and has installed two ponds and a stream in his suburban garden.
Seminar speakers
Trevor Muten
Chartered as a geologist, environmentalist, scientist and water & environmental manager, Trevor Muten has 20 years experience as a Water Resources Manager and Hydrogeologist; managing, developing, protecting and enhancing groundwater resources at all scales for water companies and an environmental regulator within the driest and most populated regions of the UK. Recently, Trevor has established Tapajos Limited - a groundwater resources and environmental consultancy. Tapajos seeks to apply robust technical solutions, from regional through to community-scales; to balance sustainable use and development of groundwater resources with existing and future, human and natural environment requirements.
Trevor is a visiting lecturer at the University of Brighton. He is also an active member of Holland Road Baptist Church in Hove, where has developed and led Social Justice seminars and courses, with a particular focus on development and environmental concerns. Trevor has supported a number of community development projects in south Asia using his technical skills.
Micheal Travis
grew up on a family dairy farm in Wisconsin, USA. He completed undergraduate M.Sc. studies in soil and water sciences at University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point. He worked as a hydrogeologist and scientist in environmental consulting, and as an environmental manager responsible for air, water, and waste issues for one of the oldest and largest tanneries in the US. In 2005 he moved with his wife and four children to Sede Boqer, Israel, in order to pursue PhD studies at the Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, Ben-Gurion
University of the Negev.
Micheal is currently conducting post-doctoral research in constructed wetlands for treatment and reuse of wastewater.
Claire Ashton
has a background in civil engineering and was based in the Research and Development department of Thames Water for ten years, most recently as a Senior Research Engineer with responsibility for investigating large water main bursts. She is currently on a career break, looking after her two children.
Richard Carter
is a water sector consultant,researcher and educator, with experience working in over 30 countries around the world. Since 2009 he has worked as Head of Technical Support with Water Aid where he manages institutional development and capacity-building activities, consultancies, research projects, and education and training programmes in many aspects of the water sector. Prior to this he was Professor of International Water Development at Cranfield University. He is a Life Member of the Association of Geoscientists for International Development, Fellow of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management, and has written widely in the field of water management.