Emma Enström

I am an industrial PhD student at the Center for Environmental and Climate Science (CEC). My research focuses on water policy and governance, with a particular focus on the Kävlinge catchment area. 

About me:
I have a natural science background, with a bachelor's degree in environmental science and a master's degree in strategic environmental management from Lund University. Before starting my PhD, I worked as a laboratory engineer analyzing wastewater - something I dreamed of as a child.  

During my time as a student, I was interested in issues related to the management of our common natural resources, despite the natural science focus in my education. After graduation, my interest in social sciences grew, as I felt that my natural science knowledge was not enough in a world where we continue to overexploit natural resources and emit carbon dioxide. This has led me to take an interest in people's relationship with nature - and in my case, with water. I'm also interested in issues of power, justice and participation. 

My research:
Freshwater is essential for both ecosystems and societies. The importance of water is reflected in our historical and current use of water. Recent climate-related extreme weather events such as flash floods and droughts have highlighted the value of water and its limitations. At the same time, landscape changes and hydropower development have affected water flows and the habitats on which freshwater species depend. As water extend beyond administrative boundaries, water issues affect a wide range of stakeholders - including agriculture, industry, the energy sector, drinking water production, recreation and nature values. This has led to a complex regulatory framework and dispersed responsibilities, for example related to land drainage, wastewater management, water supply and climate adaptation.

My research aims to understand how Swedish water policy has developed historically in relation to how we have used and related to water, how municipalities create governance across administrative boundaries, and how people perceive, relate and use water in the landscape. I mainly use interviews, semi-ethnographic methods and document analysis in my research. I am also interested in participatory methods.