Rachael McDonnell
Deputy Director General – Research for Development
Research team
Water data scienceWater, climate change and resilience
Water, food and ecosystems
Water, growth and inclusion
2008-2018 International Center for Biosaline Agriculture, Dubai. Head of Climate Change Modeling and Adaptation, Principal Researcher Water Governance and Policy 1992-2013 University of Oxford Water group, with various roles including Course Director for MSc Water Science, Policy and Management.
Current projects
Latest news for Rachael McDonnell
IWMI contributes water solutions to UAE AI Ecosystem for Global Agricultural Development
Through CGIAR’s AI Hub, IWMI researchers lend expertise to a global push to apply AI in agriculture and water resilience ...
ICBA and IWMI to strengthen global collaboration on water security and climate-resilient agriculture
Strategic agreement establishes joint framework for scientific exchange, digital water innovation and climate resilience programs in vulnerable regions ...
Pakistan Water Week 2025 builds consensus on making water security a national priority
Experts warn that fragmented approaches to water, food and climate are failing and call for integrated solutions to achieve national resilience ...
IWMI’s 2024 work transforms evidence into collective action
Annual Report 2024 reflects on a year of innovation and impact for water security ...
Digital innovation to bridge Africa’s water data divide
IWMI co-hosts Pan-African symposium on digital solutions for water management in Ethiopia, exploring how open data and digital tools can chart a water-secure future for the continent ...
IWMI and DWFI partner on Cambridge Sustainability Commission on Water for Food Futures
The new partnership aims to advance innovative approaches and policies to ensure a more secure future for global water and food systems ...
How AI can revolutionize water research and management in Africa
At the first Global AI Summit on Africa, IWMI joined leaders, policymakers and innovators from more than 95 countries to explore the potential of Artificial Intelligence to scale existing water ...
Science-backed solutions buoying water security in East Africa
IWMI and global partners commune during CGIAR Science Week to improve water security ...
Pakistan launches drought monitoring system to combat climate risks
IWMI and the Pakistan Meteorological Department have launched PakDMS, a real-time drought monitoring and early warning system designed to strengthen drought forecasting and support climate resilience. Supported by FCDO and ...
CGIAR launches Drought Action Catalyst to strengthen global resilience
New platform focuses on connecting communities with scalable solutions to build resilience and manage drought risks ...
Rethinking responses to the world’s water crises
IWMI's Rachael McDonnell contributes to reframing the responses to mitigating the world’s water crises using a ‘beyond growth’ framing ...
India Water Week 2024 underscores collective action for water security
The forum explored the role of partnerships, technology and community engagement in securing India’s water resources ...
Latest publications by Rachael McDonnell
Journal Article
Drought resilience demands urgent global actions and cooperation
Springer | February 19th, 2025
Journal Article
Science–practitioner partnerships for sustainable development
Nature Portfolio | June 30th, 2024
Contact
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