
- Research project
- – Western Pacific
Wade is a Lecturer in Griffith University’s School of Environment and Science and a researcher in the Australian Rivers Institute and the Griffith Climate Change Response Group.
He received his BSc from The University of Queensland in 1994 and worked on his Honours research at Griffith University while simultaneously undertaking a project examining an invasive insect species with the Queensland Department of Primary Industries in 1995-96. After completing his Honours, Wade worked in the Rainforest Cooperative Research Centre, based at James Cook University in Cairns, before returning to Brisbane to undertake his Doctoral research. His PhD, which examined the potential impacts of visitors on the ecology of dune lakes on Fraser Island, was awarded by Griffith University in 2003. He has since held a range of post-doctoral research positions, as well as teaching roles at Griffith University.
Wade is an aquatic ecologist by training, but his research focus is on how human and ecological systems interact. This includes assessments of visitor impacts on rivers, lakes and streams in protected areas, climate change adaptation projects in the tourism and water sectors and, most recently, evaluation of climate change adaptation options in climate-vulnerable communities in the Pacific. The common thread through all of Wade’s research is ‘water’ – especially how it is used, valued, impacted and managed. He adopts a holistic approach and works with colleagues from a wide range of disciplines to understand complex problems and identify sustainable management solutions, particularly in light of pressing climate change threats.
Wade currently convenes and teaches two courses – Science of Water and Catchment and Aquatic Ecosystem Health – in the Master of Integrated Water Management program.
Wade’s research expertise includes:
Wade has led numerous multidisciplinary climate change adaptation research projects, which have brought together diverse research teams to focus on evaluating climate threats and identifying pathways to adaptation that avoid unintended and often regrettable ecological, social and economic consequences.
Specifically, he led a NCCARF (National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility) project to examine climate change threats and adaptation options for coastal Australia. On the back of this work, Wade also won a visiting scholarship to NCCARF, further examining issues relating to climate change adaptation in the coastal zone.
More recently, Wade led a large, trans-disciplinary team to examine water, sanitation and hygiene and climate change adaptation opportunities for vulnerable communities in the Pacific region. This project, funded by AusAID and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, has resulted in lasting impacts in the case study areas, both in terms of improved understanding and changes in practice.
Post Doctoral Fellows
Current PhD students
Completed PhD students
Completed Masters Research students
Current Masters of Integrated Water Management (MIWM) Final Project students
Completed Masters of Integrated Water Management (MIWM) Final Project students
Completed Honours students
Completed summer scholarship students