Background

The Water Studies Centre (WSC) was established at the Chisholm Institute of Technology in 1975 as the research and consultancy arm of the former Department of Chemistry & Biology.  Prof Barry Hart was the Centre's Director from its commencement until February 2006 when Dr Mike Grace took over this role.

In 1990 Chisholm Institute merged with Monash University and the WSC became a research centre of the Faculty of Science with close links to the School of Chemistry. A memorandum of understanding has been negotiated that outlines the relationships between these two groups. In late 1998, the Centre was relocated to new purpose-built premises on the Clayton campus.

Close collaborative links with the Schools of Biology and Geosciences have been developed through ongoing research activities including postgraduate student projects, competitive grant projects and research consultancies. The Water Studies Centre was also actively involved in the research program of the CRC for Freshwater Ecology from the CRC's inception in July 1993 to its conclusion in June 2005.

The Water Studies Centre seeks to generate and exchange scientific knowledge to underpin the effective management of Australia's waterways. It does this through its strategic and contract research program, its postgraduate training program and a program of knowledge exchange.