Funded through the Ofwat Innovation Fund, this is a multi-partner project.
The Cambridge Interfaith Programme had responsibility for an academic research phase, combining interviews and desk-based research to deepen understanding of how diverse religious communities in Cambridge engage with water use. The research work was led by Dr Anastasia Badder, whose findings are available to download in the report “Water and/in religious relations: a Cambridge study”.
The Cambridge Interfaith Programme also hosted a knowledge-exchange conference with academics and practitioners in April 2024, under the curation of Dr Safet HadziMuhamedovic. Professor Veronica Strang (Oxford) delivered the keynote.
The wider project ran for 21 months from July 2023 (including an extension) with the intention of developing an evidence-based comprehensive water efficiency engagement and support framework which water companies can adopt in the future. The project was led by South Staffordshire Water (also trading as Cambridge Water). A final report will appear in mid-2025.
The project brought together a range of experts, academics, and faith groups to develop and introduce new bespoke water saving interventions and behaviour change campaigns linked to faith and culture. At the outset, partners hoped for significant environmental and social benefits: reducing per capita consumption for water, building public trust, and supporting hard-to-reach vulnerable customers.
Partners include: Waterwise, Severn Trent Water, South West Water, Affinity Water, Southern Water, Northumbrian Water, Get Water Fit, Hindu Climate Action, Eco Dharma Network, Cambridge Central Mosque
Related activity
Inter Faith Week 2023 | Religion and Water
Conference: Being with Water Otherwise, 15–16 April 2024 & Conference report: Being with Water Otherwise
Joint summer school: Religion and Climate Futures, 1–5 July 2024
News: Water and/in Religious Relations report released (January 2024)
Dr Anastasia Badder has also partnered with Water Sensitive Cambridge (supported by CRASSH) to host community events in October 2024 and April 2025:
Event: Dear Community: Water with our head, hands and heart (October 2024)
Upcoming: Dear City: Water and nature in Cambridge
See also the Cabinet of Crisis (January 2025), the World of Water and the Value of Water (March 2025).
In July 2024, Dr Badder and colleagues led a half-day workshop on values with students from the Cambridge MSt in Sustainability Leadership; there will be another session with the current cohort.
Dr Badder and Dr Hine delivered a keynote based on this research as part of the 2024 RExChange conference hosted by Culham St Gabriel's Trust. This joint keynote is available to watch on CSGT's YouTube channel.
Related publications
Anastasia R. Badder 2023 | Water and/in religious relations: a Cambridge study
This 42-page report incorporates findings and recommendations from four months of fieldwork with Cambridge communities.
Download the report as a PDF (1.38MB).
Safet HadžiMuhamedović 2024 | Being with Water OTHERWISE.
This 13-page report reflects on the April 2024 conference, capturing key points from papers, panels and discussion.