Assistant Professor, Environmental Sustainability Research Centre
Education:
PhD University of Cape Town (Public Administration)
MSc University of Queensland (Integrated Water Management)
BA University of California, Los Angeles (Anthropology)
Dr. Lina Taing is a transdisciplinary expert in water security, climate resilience, and health equity with nearly 20 years’ experience bridging science, policy, and practice. An applied social and behavior scientist, she works with communities and decision-makers to design solutions grounded in how people interact with their environments. Her work spans four continents, from enhancing water and sanitation services to scaling natural climate solutions. A Visiting Fellow at the London School of Economics, she has taught at IHE Delft and directed McMaster and United Nations University’s Water Without Borders program. Her current research advances environmental AMR surveillance and scales NbS in the Global South for both people and planet.
Leveraging social and behavioral insights to advance social equity, greener economies, climate justice and planetary health.
Fall 2025:
- ENSU 2P01: Introduction to Environmental Sustainability
- ENSU 3P92: Environmental Psychology
- SSAS 5P01: Foundations of Sustainability Science and Society
- SSAS 5P02: Methods for Environmental Inquiry
Winter 2026:
- ENSU 2P02: Environmental Sustainability in Practice
- ENSU 3P90: Contemporary Environmental Issues
- ENSU 3P93: Building Sustainable Communities
Spring 2026:
- ENSU 2P02: Environmental Sustainability in Practice
Recent publications (evidence syntheses, peer-reviewed and policy briefs):
- L. Taing, H. Whitelaw & M.G. Wilson. (2025). Rapid synthesis of environmental antimicrobial resistance (AMR) knowledge and surveillance in Canada. Hamilton: McMaster Health Forum.
- Logie, C.H., Hasham, A., Kagunda, J., Evelia, H., Gachoki, C., Omondi, B., Wanjiru, M., Gittings, L., Van Borek, S., Newman, P.A., Fuller-Thompson, E., L. Taing, I. Sternthal, S. Weiser, R. Hogg & J. Turan. (2025). Climate change, resource insecurities and sexual and reproductive health among young adolescents in Kenya: a multi-method qualitative inquiry. BMJ Glob Health, 10, e016637.
- K. Mikołajczak, K. Gannon, K. Vincent, L. Taing, W. Ingram, C. de Bont, L. Damiba, G. Shreedhar, G. Kanyumba, J. Truelove, & D. Conway. (2025). Behavioural research for water security: integrating design, systems thinking and social sciences. BASIN Insight Brief 1, London: Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, London School of Economics and Political Science.
- C. Logie, M. Okumu, L. Tailor, L. Taing, C. Dorea, L. Mbuagbaw, R. Hakiza, D. Kibuuka-Musoke, B. Kadisi, A. Nakitende, P. Kyambadde, F. Mackenzie, & Z. Admassu. (2024). Water and food insecurity and linkages with physical and sexual intimate partner violence among urban refugee youth in Kampala, Uganda: cross-sectional survey findings. Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development, 14(3), 261-276.
- C. MacAlister, G. Baggio, D. Perera, M. Qadir, L. Taing, & V. Smakhtin. (2023). Global Water Security 2023 Assessment. UNU-INWEH Report Series, Hamilton.
- R.A. Kaiser, J.S. Polk, L. Taing & T. Datta. (2023). Antimicrobial Resistance and Karst Groundwater Systems: A Policy Gap Analysis for Addressing Water Quality and Contaminants of Emerging Concern. Environmental Science and Policy, 148: 103544.
- L. Taing, N. Dang, M. Agarwal & T. Glickman. (2021). Water-related Sustainable Development Goal accelerators: A rapid review. Water Security, 14, 100100.
- S.J. Marks, G. Clair-Caliot, L. Taing, J.T. Bamwenda, C. Kanyesigye, N.E. Rwendeire, J. Kemerink-Seyoum, F. Kansiime, D. Batega, & G. Ferrero. (2020). Water supply and sanitation services in small towns in rural-urban transition zones. npj Clean Water, 3(1), 1-9. Springer US: 21.
Op-eds:
- L. Taing. (2022). Is safe water, sanitation, and hygiene a pipe dream? One Earth, 5(2), Cell Press: 126-128.
- L. Taing & G. Oluwasanya. (2022, Mar 8). Gender Blind Spots in the Water Sector. Inter Press Service (IPS).
- L. Taing & R. Kaiser. (2021, Nov 23). Protecting Environmental Water from Antimicrobial Resistance. Inter Press Service (IPS).
