The Shared Waters Lab Partnership


About the Shared Waters Lab (SWL) Partnership

The Shared Waters Lab Partnership (SWL) is dedicated to strengthening international water diplomacy by providing critical data and analysis on transboundary freshwater resources. Through our collaboration with Oregon State University, the Fletcher School at Tufts University, and IHE-Delft, we update and expand the Transboundary Freshwater Diplomacy Database (TFDD) to offer a spatial platform for understanding global water basins, treaties, and institutional frameworks. Our mission is to support policymakers and researchers in navigating and mitigating water-related conflicts while promoting cooperation.

Our work encompasses monitoring and early warning systems for potential conflicts and opportunities for cooperation, with a focus on equitable and sustainable management of shared water resources. We employ advanced data collection methods, analytical tools, and strategic advisory services to address key challenges such as water quantity disputes, infrastructure development, and institutional capacity. We aim to enhance our database and provide timely insights to prevent conflicts and foster collaborative governance of transboundary water systems.

The SWL Partnership focuses on three areas: monitoring conflict and cooperation, early warning for conflict risk, and the management of shared water resources to prevent conflict and increase equitable and sustainable cooperation.  Through the following areas:

  • Global and regional data collection

  • Comprehensive data analysis

  • Advising, facilitation, and capacity building

SWL Partnership Leads

PhD Fellows

  • Alyssa Offutt

    PhD Candidate, IHE-Delft

  • Henry Pitts

    PhD Student, Oregon State University

  • Zoe Rosenblum

    PhD Candidate, Oregon State University

  • Alexandra Turgul

    Transboundary Freshwater Diplomacy Database Manager, PhD Candidate, Oregon State University

Research Assistants

  • Renata Bolotova

    Fletcher MIB ‘23

  • Molly Burger

    Fletcher MALD ‘24

  • Raunaq Chandrashekar

    Fletcher MALD ‘23

  • Alexandra Cronin

    Fletcher MALD ‘24

  • Hussam Idris

    Oregon State University '24

  • Sukriti Mahipal

    Fletcher MALD ‘23

  • Natalia Perez

    Fletcher MALD ‘24

  • Rachel Skinner

    Tufts SWM ‘22

  • Elias Stroock

    Oregon State University

  • Selena Wallace

    Fletcher MALD ‘24