WEST 2024 Registration & Call for Abstracts

The registration and call for abstracts for WEST 2024 are now open!!

 

ABSTRACT SUBMISSION

Deadline: April 22, 2024 at 11:59 PM PT (Extended!)

Please submit your abstract through the provided Google Form link. Before preparing your submission, review the information below to select your preferred presentation format and session category. Ensure your abstract does not exceed 250 words.



 

REGISTRATION

Deadline: May 31, 2024 at 11:59 PM PT

Please proceed to our Eventbrite page below to complete your registration. You can find detailed descriptions and a section dedicated to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for further information there.



 

Presentation Formats

Your abstract can be submitted for one of three presentation formats, taking your preference into account. If your preferred format cannot be accommodated for an accepted abstract, you will be informed. Criteria for each format will be communicated to the presenting author ahead of the conference.

  • Oral Presentation
  • Focused on empirical research involving data collection and analysis. Presentations will be grouped by abstract theme into ‘Education Sessions’ and can be online or in-person, depending on the session’s schedule (June 12th or 13th) and the presenter’s choice.

  • 3-Minute WESTalk
  • A concise, 3-minute oral presentation supported by a single static slide containing text and/or graphics. Presenters must attend in-person on June 13th.

  • Poster Presentation
  • A static display summarizing research through brief text and visual aids like photos and graphs. Poster presenters are required to be present on June 13th and/or 14th.

Session Categories

  • Drivers of Change in Hydrologic Systems
  • This theme explores how natural and anthropogenic changes impact surface water and groundwater systems. Topics under this theme could include impacts of the following stressors: climate change, extreme weather events, contaminants, land use, population growth, societal needs and values, and economic systems.

  • Designing Resilient Water Systems
  • This theme explores innovative strategies and advanced technologies for enhancing water system resilience amid climate change and urbanization challenges. Topics include improving water supply and distribution networks, optimizing wastewater and drinking water treatment, deploying smart water technologies, integrating green infrastructure for stormwater management, and developing remediation technologies for contaminant removal.

  • Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in Low-resource Contexts
  • WASH research involves the multidisciplinary study of disease prevention with respect to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene, and the sustained use, intervention, and maintenance of such services. We define “low-resource contexts” to refer to settings with inequitable access to improved WASH. Topics under this theme could include projects that develop solutions or investigate issues related to these complex water and sanitation problems, with connections to public and environmental health, poverty reduction, economic growth, and more.

  • Water Accessibility, Availability, and Use
  • This theme explores the relationship between people and the water source they require to meet personal, domestic, industrial, economical, spiritual, and environmental needs. Topics under this theme could include water supply (groundwater wells, reservoirs, distribution systems), water resource management, water scarcity, and water conservation.

  • Water Governance, Policy, Stewardship, and Environmental Justice
  • This theme explores strategies for robust water governance, policy, stewardship, and environmental justice – delving into the interplay among societal needs, ecological balance, and equitable resource distribution. Topics include inclusive water policies and co–governance, community-led water management, water rights protection, environmental disparity solutions, and other related topics.

  • Decoloniality in Water Research
  • This theme explores inclusive approaches researchers can use when building the existing knowledge about water-related topics. Topics under this theme will be centered in ways of knowing beyond Eurocentric and Western research approaches, and will highlight research building water knowledge using/integrating Indigenous ways of knowing.