1990- Expanding into Governance

In 1999 the Brace Research Institute expanded its scope beyond its foundational focus on desalination, irrigation, and agricultural water use. This shift embraced a broader, research-driven agenda that incorporated policy, governance, and interdisciplinary approaches to water management.

That same year, the Institute merged with the Faculty’s Centre for Drainage and Water Management, giving rise to the Brace Centre for Water Resources Management. This new entity consolidated expertise in irrigation, drainage, water conservation, and institutional governance, positioning itself as a hub for innovative water research and global engagement.

Throughout the early 2000s, the Brace Centre played a pivotal role in addressing pressing international water challenges. Backed by multimillion-dollar funding from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the Centre led major initiatives across diverse regions. These included developing transboundary water agreements in the Aral Sea post-Soviet collapse, advancing desalination strategies in the Nile Basin, improving water quality in Pakistan, and implementing malaria control through water management in Sri Lanka. Locally, the Centre contributed to climate modeling and water quality efforts in Lake Champlain.

These projects not only tackled complex issues such as salinity, climate modeling, and transboundary governance, but also served as a training ground for McGill graduate students. By embedding Master's and PhD candidates in hands-on, interdisciplinary research, the Centre fostered capacity building and professional development, reinforcing its commitment to both academic excellence and global impact.

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