In the realm of education, geography opens the door to understanding the Earth's natural wonders, but within this vast discipline lies a captivating realm known as fluvial geomorphology. Dr. Edward Park, an esteemed assistant professor at the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NIE NTU, Singapore), is not just an educator; he's a visionary fluvial geomorphologist dedicated to unveiling the mysteries of rivers and their profound influence on our planet.
Fluvial geomorphology delves deep into the intricate systems of Earth's rivers, shedding light on their pivotal role in shaping our environment. Dr. Park's journey into this field began during his undergraduate years in the United States when he worked on a project related to the hydroclimate of the Andes. This experience opened his eyes to the colossal water cycle spanning South America, emphasising how water cycles are integral to controlling natural disasters like floods, droughts, and landslides. Inspired by this realisation, Dr. Park embarked on a lifelong research expedition into fluvial geomorphology.
In his earlier work, he focused on the hydrology of the Amazon River, the planet's largest river and a critical component of South America's water cycle.
Academic Research Rewards and Challenges
Dr. Edward Park, Assistant Professor at Humanities & Social Studies Education Academic Group, NIE NTU, Singapore (Photo: NIE Singapore)
For Dr. Park, the world of academia offers the freedom to pursue personal interests while benefiting society. He believes that academic research always holds relevance and implications for society, making it a fulfilling endeavour. Additionally, continuous learning through research enriches researchers personally and professionally. Dr. Park emphasises that the publications that result from research are the ultimate rewards.
One of Dr. Park's current research projects investigates riverbed sand mining in Southeast Asian deltas. Sand, the second most extracted natural resource after water, lacks a comprehensive understanding of its extraction scale from rivers. Dr. Park's team has made groundbreaking progress by estimating the sand mining budget of large rivers in the region. This achievement results from a combination of geospatial technologies, fieldwork, and numerical modelling.
Dr. Park acknowledges the challenges of research, particularly in field data collection. Overcoming these obstacles demands a capable team, dependable collaborators, and a substantial budget for overseas research and equipment procurement. However, the extraordinary results that research yields make every effort worthwhile.
Dr. Edward Park and his research team at Mekong Delta collecting river hydrology data (Photo: Dr. Edward Park)
Dr. Park's ultimate goal is to use his findings to contribute to sustainable river management. His research outcomes are intended to inform the development and implementation of regulatory frameworks by governments worldwide for the sustainable management of Earth's rivers.
Singapore, despite its compact size and absence of major rivers, is a leader in environmental and earth research within the ASEAN region. NIE NTU, Singapore, is at the forefront of this endeavour, providing exceptional opportunities for aspiring fluvial geomorphology researchers. Equipped with state-of-the-art resources tailored for physical geography research, NIE offers an enriching research environment. Its collaboration with other esteemed institutions, like the Earth Observatory of Singapore, enables interdisciplinary collaboration and the exploration of innovative solutions.
The Journey of Discovery
Dr. Edward Park and his research team at Mekong Delta collecting river hydrology data (Photo: Dr. Edward Park)
Dr. Edward Park's journey into the captivating world of fluvial geomorphology offers aspiring researchers a chance to explore Earth's hidden forces and gain insights into the remarkable tales of our planet's rivers. Through his expertise and research, you'll uncover the secrets of fluvial geomorphology, which play a crucial role in shaping our world.
To discover more about Dr. Edward Park's research and the Humanities and Social Studies Academic Group at NIE, visit NIE NTU's official website.
If you're inspired by the world of research and aspire to contribute to real-world problem-solving, NIE offers a journey of discovery into Earth's rivers and beyond. Applications for the August 2024 intake are open until January 31, 2024, for research programmes. For more information, visit www.nie.edu.sg/aug2024.
The National Institute of Education (NIE) is an autonomous institute under the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. (Photo: NIE Singapore)
The National Institute of Education (NIE) is an autonomous institute under Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. It consistently ranks among the world's top 30 educational institutions and the top five in Asia according to the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) ranking.