Informal water provision: Enabling or constraining (sustainable) development?

Grantham Scholar Teresa Tete’ Mausse’s project explores an alternative position to the interrogation of informal water provision in the global south.

On being a Grantham Scholar

“The Gilman/Fulbright-Grantham event was an opportunity for me to mind map diverse ideas and solutions with a group of vibrant global thinkers. These and various other developmental and networking opportunities earmark the academic and career charms of being a Grantham scholar.”

Background to the project

My learning journey to a Doctoral candidacy is reflective of my upbringing. It is marked by different paths and experiences in various Sub-Saharan countries that developed an excitement for understanding social phenomena. I completed my bachelors at the University of Pretoria in 2008, majoring in the political and social sciences fields. 

After my degree I accepted a role in the corporate consumer goods industry, working in the market research and trades functions. These roles introduced me to the idea of further explorations and what became my curiosity of humanity through various social and community participations. After a decade of diverse contributions, growth and planning ahead, I combined my experience with my passion for learning to focus on a career in pedagogy. 

I then enrolled on a master’s programme at the American accredited United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya. After an interim period of applications, in 2021 I embarked on a four-year candidacy towards a doctorate in Philosophy at the University of Sheffield. 

The project

My research interests are centred in the field of Human Geography with interdisciplinary extensions to other social sciences. This study explores an alternative position to the interrogation of informal water provision in the global south. More specifically Mozambique, which also happens to be my country of birth. Adding to the emerging subjects of Hydro Politics and Critical Institutionalism-Bricolage, my project aims to contribute and make meaningful impact on policy and sustainability water shortage applications, that surround the discourse of water as a base agenda of the sustainable development framework. 

This is currently an independent project, however, as it develops various potential partnerships and collaborations with international organisations like The Dutch Research Council, Water Aid and the European Union are being approached, as the data will have regional application. 

Outreach

Transparency in Water? The Invisibility of Africa’s Commons. In this blog Tete’ explores water as an “out of sight, out of mind” commons.

Fulbright and Gilman Scholars visit the Grantham Centre. In the summer of 2022 we were delighted to work with Global Engagement to host 25 Gilman Scholars and 58 Fulbright Scholars for a climate change themed conference. Several Grantham Scholars helped host the visitors, including Theresa Tete’ Mausse.

Free sustainability webinars. Theresa was part of a group who organised the Water For Everyone webinar. Created as part of our ongoing public engagement, it is on of a playlist of Grantham Scholar webinars available on YouTube.


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Supervisor

Co-Supervisors