News J-WAFS Community Spotlight on Nadia Christidi

Nadia Christidi integrates art and science in her research on urban water management and climate resilience.

Jiaqi Zhang, J-WAFS March 11, 2024

Nadia Christidi is a PhD candidate in History, Anthropology, and Science, Technology, and Society at MIT, researching the complexities of urban water management amidst the looming challenges of climate change. Her interdisciplinary approach enables her to explore the multifaceted strategies cities employ to secure water futures. Focusing on Los Angeles, Dubai, and Cape Town, Christidi’s research is at the intersection of engineering, urban planning, policy-making, and the arts, and how these areas can be used to find innovative solutions to water scarcity. Her background in Middle Eastern art and cultural institutions has shaped her unique perspective, further enriched by her involvement with Art Jameel, an arts philanthropy organization founded by J-WAFS’ benefactor Mohammed Abdul Latif Jameel.

In the following video, Christidi elucidates the essence of her work and the interdisciplinary lens through which she views the future of water management. Speaking at COP28, she underscores her dedication to fostering conversations across various fields, especially between the arts and sciences, aiming for solutions to combat climate change effects. Her work is not only academic but also embedded in real-world applications, as evidenced by her research support from a 2020-2021 J-WAFS Fellowship and her engagement with global water industry at events like World Water Week in Stockholm, supported through a J-WAFS Travel Grant. In a recent publication 'Liquid Dreams: Envisioning Water Futures in the UAE,' Christidi contributes to the dialogue around sustainable water strategies. 

Learn more about Nadia Christidi in this video