About

Water and SDG Goals

Developing a human view of water

Water - a fundamental of life is intrinsically related to multiple other sustainable development goals (SDGs).Adopting behavioral and psychological insights on water is paramount as we tackle the challenges today and prepare for future.

At the WaterThoughts research group, we intend to use decision research and psychological science to gather empirical evidence about how we think and act toward water and how water impacts our thinking and actions. We are also looking to deepen behavioral and consumer insights on water, along with additional pertinent insights today or tomorrow. We are eager to work collaboratively on key aspects, including water scarcity or water resources, towards sustainable goals that matter to life on earth, along with conversations with various stakeholders and public or private organizations or Non-Profit Organizations connected to the theme of water. We would continue to advance fundamental understanding and facilitate informed viewpoints. The findings are of global significance and, at times, of local relevance in India.

This research group was conceptualized by Sumitava Mukherjee on Earth Day, 2024, and started working on World Water Day 2025.

Thousands of years ago, we revered the fundamental elements of Earth within which water was a key one. Now, it is time to locate it back centrally, aided by advancing knowledge about how we think, judge, and decide about water and how water impacts our minds, along with finding local solutions that push forth sustainable behavior.

Sumitava Mukherjee

Lead investigator
Behavioral scientist and Decision researcher
Associate Professor, Dept. of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Delhi.

Short-term Associates

Prisha

U.G. Student in Lady Sri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi

"“The more I read, the more I acquire, the more certain I am that I know nothing.” — Voltaire"

Tavnisha

U.G. Student, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar College, University of Delhi

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” -William James

Akhil Abburu

Doctoral student, IIT Delhi

"Your mind is like this water, my friend. When it is agitated, it becomes difficult to see. But if you allow it to settle, the answer becomes clear." -Master Oogway