Mr Donald Robertson
Teaching Associate
Centre for Sustainable Development
Personal statement
Donald is a Teaching Associate within the Centre for Sustainable Development.
Donald is also a researcher and Hydro Nation Scholar working within the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the University of Strathclyde.
Research interests: sustainable development, water resource management, hydrogeology, participatory action research, citizen science, science-policy engagement
Donald's transdisciplinary doctoral research focuses on the practical application of citizen-generated data for use within water management systems and institutions. With an international focus to his work, Donald specifically examines how water sector professionals interact with and perceive citizen-generated data, as well as where the oppertunities and barriers lie. Donald aims to apply this learning to help co-create strategies for incorporating novel sources of data into water management practices for real-world impact.
Donald is supervised by Prof Tracy Morse (University of Strathclyde), Dr Rowan Ellis (Georgetown Univeristy in Qatar) and, Dr Chris White (University of Strathclyde).
Prior to joining the Hydro Nation team Donald obtained a B.Sc (Hons) Geology from the University of Manchester and a M.Sc. Hydrogeology from the University of Strathclyde. In addition to his formal educational, Donald has several years of experience working on water-related research projects both in the UK and abroad with skills and experience in; data-generation projects, monitoring & evaluation, stakeholder engagement, environmental governance and international development.
If you have any questions or would like to get in touch please use the email address below!
Email: donald.j.robertson@strath.ac.uk
Prize And Awards
- Images of Research - Category Winner
- Recipient
- 13/5/2025
- StrathLABS - Citizen Science Competition
- Recipient
- 2024
- Principal's Special Award (Strathclyde Medal)
- Recipient
- 2023
- Global Water Partnership MINIMAX Competition
- Recipient
- 2022
Publications
- Co-designing groundwater monitoring through citizen science : insights from a field trial in Malawi
- Robertson Donald, Morse Tracy, White Chris, Ellis Rowan, Nhlema Muthi, Chidziwisano Kondwani, Luwe Kondwani, Musopole Gloria
- XIX World Water Congress (2025)
- Groundwater monitoring challenges in Malawi : pathways to sustainable solutions
- Robertson Donald, Morse Tracy, White Chris, Ellis Rowan
- 2024 UNC Water & Health Conference (2025)
- Groundwater must be fully integrated into WASH programmes to make them climate resilient
- Robertson Donald JC, MacAllister Donald John, Gurmessa Seifu Kebede, Matta Jay, MacDonald Alan, McManus Catherine, Morse Tracy, Mukherji Aditi, Nhlema Muthi
- PLOS Water Vol 4 (2025)
- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pwat.0000404
- Using water walks as a research method to gather data in water‐related social research
- Holstead Kirsty, Grecksch Kevin, Bonner James, Major Laura, Robertson Donald
- Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Water Vol 12 (2025)
- https://doi.org/10.1002/wat2.1758
- Co-creating an environmental water monitoring system using citizen science in Malawi
- Robertson Donald John Charles
- Scottish Freshwater Group Meeting (2023)
- Advances in the application and utility of subseasonal-to-seasonal predictions
- White Christopher J, Domeisen Daniela I V, Acharya Nachiketa, Adefisan Elijah A, Anderson Michael L, Aura Stella, Balogun Ahmed A, Bertram Douglas, Bluhm Sonia, Brayshaw David J, Browell Jethro, Büeler Domink, Charlton-Perez Andrew, Chourio Xandre, Christel Isadora, Coelho Caio A S, DeFlorio Michael J, Delle Monache Luca, Di Giuseppe Francesca, García-Solórzano Ana María, Gibson Peter B, Goddard Lisa, González Romero Carmen, Graham Richard J, Graham Robert M, Grams Christian M, Halford Alan, Huang W T Katty, Jensen Kjeld, Kilavi Mary, Lawal Kamoru A, Lee Robert W, MacLeod David, Manrique-Suñén Andrea, Martins Eduardo S P R, Maxwell Carolyn J, Merryfield William J, Muñoz Ángel G, Olaniyan Eniola, Otieno George, Oyedpo John A, Palma Lluís, Pechlivanidis Ilias G, Pons Diego, Ralph F Martin, Reis Jr. Dirceu S, Remenyi Tomas A, Risbey James S, Robertson Donald J C, Robertson Andrew W, Smith Stefan, Soret Albert, Sun Ting, Todd Martin C, Tozer Carly R, Vasconcelos Jr. Franisco C, Vigo Ilaria, Waliser Duane E, Wetterhall Fredrik, Wilson Robert G
- Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society (2021)
- https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-20-0224.1
Professional Activities
- Capillary Fringe: Coding and paper drafting
- Organiser
- 21/11/2025
- Capillary Fringe: Postcard archiving and coding
- Organiser
- 17/11/2025
- Capillary Fringe: postcard colleting event at the Edinburgh Fringe festival, 13 and 14th August
- Presenter
- 13/8/2025
- Capillary Fringe: postcard collecting event at the Edinburgh Fringe festival, 5 and 6th August
- Presenter
- 5/8/2025
- A library of Malawi @ Strathclyde
- Contributor
- 31/5/2025
- Scotland Malawi Partnership: WASH Forum
- Speaker
- 9/4/2025
Projects
- Capillary Fringe
- Tabas, Andrew (Co-investigator) Robertson, Donald (Co-investigator) Young, Laura (Co-investigator) cousin, Hubert (Co-investigator) Bonner, James (Co-investigator) Johnson, Brady (Co-investigator) Bennet, Bridget (Co-investigator) Alejandre, Julze (Co-investigator) Orci-Fernandex, Luisa (Co-investigator)
- Water is a defining feature of Scotland, integral to its landscapes, economy, and cultural identity. Scotland’s vision to become a 'Hydro Nation' highlights water as a strategic resource deeply intertwined with social and cultural meanings. Water plays an important role across sectors including tourism, agriculture, renewable energy, public health, and environmental stewardship; however, its sustainable availability faces increasing pressures from climate change, growing demand, and complex long-term management challenges. Addressing these multifaceted challenges demands an inclusive approach that engages communities, industries, and policymakers across Scottish society. Understanding societal perceptions, values, and interactions with water in all its forms is therefore essential for realising the Hydro Nation ambition and ensuring resilient water management into the future.
This research project brings together a diverse, interdisciplinary team of researchers from across Scottish Universities' and academic disciplines around the core research interest of 'water'. - 01-Jan-2025 - 31-Jan-2025
Contact
Mr
Donald
Robertson
Teaching Associate
Centre for Sustainable Development
Email: donald.j.robertson@strath.ac.uk
Tel: Unlisted