Rob Hughes

I'm currently working with the floating communities of Cambodia as a field water & sanitation engineer for Engineers Without Borders Australia (EWB), and Live & Learn Environmental Education Cambodia. I'm developing and trialling appropriate low-cost sanitation options for communities that spend most or all of them their time living on water. Despite over 1-1.5 million Cambodians living in this situation - and millions more internationally - there are currently no suitable solutions to this problem. Working with teams in Australia from EWB, an ecological sanitation latrine system has been designed and installed, and now further waste treatment methods such as floating biodigesters are under investigation. The goal of this next phase is to treat human waste and convert it to useful biogas for cooking, and fertiliser. As well as biogas, we'll also be investigating and demonstrating appropriate energy systems including micro-solar power. The project has a large emphasis on community engagement, to ensure their ownership, and the solutions developed are both appropriate and sustainable.

I've previously spent a year in Cambodia with EWB working on ceramic water filters for household water treatment, and continue to advise a number of producers around the world. Often the people with the potential to make a huge difference lack the technical knowledge or resources, and this is where engineers can step in and fill a big gap in providing solutions for safe drinking water.

I have tried to find a profession that suits my principals, interests, and (hopefully) my skills. Engineering appeals to me for its direct relevance to all of our lives, and the potential to make a huge difference. It is essential for many of the changes that are needed around the world today, such as in achieving safe water and sanitation coverage, as well as real sustainability.

I saw Environmental & Water Engineering as a great place to be to take a part in making this change. I'm also incapable of ignoring the massive inequality and injustice present today, and would not be comfortable not doing something about. I feel it is my responsibility for many reasons to strive to help improve peoples lives, and to be sure to be part of the solution, not the problem.

Environmental Engineering seemed like a logical place to start for someone strong in the sciences who wanted to make a real difference. I also realised that the impact of engineering really depends on how it is done and the social context in which it is done. So I've always tried to understand the social, political, economic factors that determine whether engineers help or harm people, including combining my degree to study political science at University.

After building up my experience and skills at work, and travelling a little, I decided if I was going to really do what I wanted I'd have to step out of the mould and make some bold choices. I haven't looked back since.

Live and Learn: Environmental Education is a not for profit organisation that aims to educate communities on the appropriate management and reduction of waste to prevent human and environmental risk . In partnership with EWB, Live and Learn, have focused on the implementation of efficient and cost effective, floating waste management systems with the hope that the instigation of such systems provides a social, environmental and economical dividends that will motivate the community to manage waste effectively. Coordinating this program for EWB is Rob Hughes, EWB's in-country volunteer, who is working with Live and Learn on this sanitation project.

Listen to Roberts interview on ABC radio on 666 from 3rd March with Genevieve Jacobs.

Live & Learn Environmental Education Receives Grand Challenges Explorations Funding