Steve Conrad, chair

Bachelor of Science, Engineering - University of Arizona
Bachelor of Science, Psychology - University of Arizona
Masters of Science, Environmental Technology Management - Arizona State University

Professional profile: http://ca.linkedin.com/in/steveaconrad & current CV

Email: steve_conrad@sfu.ca | Skype: droptiks | Phone: 1-604-649-6746

Supervisor: Dr. Wolfgang Haider

Areas of research interest: water-energy nexus, adaptive decision-making, energy and water conservation behaviour, climate change, and innovation diffusion.

Project title: Adaptive Governance through Integrated Engineering-Behavioural Water Demand Modelling

Description: Steve’s doctoral research examines the potential of integrated engineering-behavioural water modelling to foster adaptive decision-making in a policy context.  His study focuses on developing an integrated method for water demand modelling by systematically linking civil engineering methods with behavioural water use models based on stated preference data.  Steve is identifying key water management issues regarding uncertainty of supplies due to climate change in which demand management provides alternatives for achieving broader BC water management goals.  He will then investigate the acceptance of and preferences for demand management alternatives by water users using discrete choice experiment methods.  Steve will conclude his research by assessing how integrated models support adaptive governance and the development of water management policies. [learn more]

Profile: Steve started his education in Arizona with a degree in optical engineering and became interested in broader environmental management issues through his research on using lasers to monitor air particulate matter.  He continued to foster his passion for environmental management while pursuing a second degree in psychology at the University of Arizona and a Masters of Science in Environmental Technology Management at Arizona State University.  He moved with his wife and daughter to Vancouver in 2006 while working as a consultant to Metro Vancouver, leading the development of their water operations optimization program.  Before starting his PhD, Steve has worked for close to 20 years as a water utility consultant.  Over the course of his career, Steve has worked with numerous municipalities in North America, Australia and the United Kingdom on holistic water management decision-making, which has fostered a unique understanding on the importance of including human factors in engineering solutions.  Steve is chair of the Water Research Group, a Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions fellow, chair of the BC Water and Waste Association committee on climate change and member of BCWWA’s leadership council ( honoured for  member profile in the winter 2011/2012 journal), directs the International Water Association Water and Energy working group, and volunteers on project advisory committees for the Water Research Foundation.  Steve also routinely presents on energy water quality management, energy and water efficiency, decision-making, and utility operations at various conferences throughout the year.

Recent Awards:

2010,2011,2012 Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions Graduate Fellowship (PhD); 2009 SFU President’s Research Stipend; 2009, 2008, 2007 Graduate Fellowship; 2007 Pacific Century Scholarship

Masters Thesis:

Conrad, S. 2005. “An Exploratory Assessment on Applying the Precautionary Principle to Genetically Modified Foods”, ASU Press, Tempe, AZ

Recent Publications:

Kenway, S., McMahon, J., Elmer, V., Conrad, S., Rosenblum, J., (2013, in press) “Managing water-related energy in future cities – a research and policy roadmap”, Journal of Water and Climate.

Conrad, S., Olson, E. Raucher, S., Smith, J. (2013) Opportunities for Managing Climate Change by Applying Adaptive Management. Denver, CO: Water Research Foundation.

Conrad, S. (2012). Assessing the effectiveness of climate change adaptation policies: a survey of residential preferences. Ottawa, ON. Natural Resources Canada.

Conrad, S. “Messages from AAAS 2012: Communicating Climate Change”, J. BCWWA, October, 2012.

Conrad, S., 2012. “Decision support for the water-energy nexus: examining decision-making in the American west” in Kenney, D., The Water-Energy Nexus in the American West

Conrad, S. “Managing climate change through adaptive governance”, J. BCWWA, July 2011.

Conrad, S., Geisenhoff, J., Brueck, T., Hall, M., Cook, S., Kenway, S., et al. 2011. Decision support system for sustainable energy management. Denver, CO: Water Research Foundation.

Conrad, S., Hall, M., et. al. 2010. “Key Energy Decisions for Sustainable Utility Energy Management”, Water Science & Technology: Water Supply, Volume 10, No 5, pp 721–729

Conrad, S., 2010. “Energy and Greenhouse Gas Management Options in the Water Utility Sector” in Welch, C., The Green Utility, AWWA Publishing, Denver, CO

Jentgen, L, Kidder, H., Conrad, S. 2007 “Energy Management Strategies Use Short-Term Water Consumption Forecasting to Minimize Cost of Pumping Operations” J. AWWA