Associate Professor of Systems Engineering
Dr. Steve Conrad has conducted research and consulted with the water and energy industry for over 25 years on the feedbacks between human-environmental systems through the coupling of social and engineering sciences to inform decision making and visualization, the quantification and modelling of system function, system optimization and resilience, and policy and planning as applied to four research thrusts:
Prior to joining the systems engineering department, he led the Future Waters Research Excellence Cluster at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. Before that he was the Associate Director of the Pacific Water Research Centre and chair of the REM Water Research Group at Simon Fraser University.
Dr. Conrad is active in industry having served on the Board of Directors for the American Water Works Association and the British Columbia Water and Waste Association, and chairing multiple industry committees on energy management, climate change, and risk and resilience.
Before contacting me, read this link to learn how to frame your research.
1) On campus PhD Graduate Research Assistantships – None currently open. Please check back.
2) Distance program advising for PhD, MS students – If you are looking for an advisor as a distance student please send me an email with 1) a summary of your prior academic (degrees, research papers, unofficial class transcript) and industry experience, 2) a general outline of what you’d like to research and how this aligns with my background. I am interested in advising students across many related topics of interest and I am actively recruiting students to support our Australian collaboration on Climate Resilient Water in these areas:
3) On campus MS thesis/project advising – I have several ongoing studies related to social sciences, quantitative human behavioural modelling, AI and ML, system dynamics, human cognition, and decision making relating to urban water energy, food, and climate systems. If you are interested in these areas of study, please send me an email describing your research interests and academic background and I will advise on any open lab positions.
4) Other advising or serving on your graduate committee – If you are looking for other advising opportunities such as undergraduate research experiences, honors advising, or looking for an additional committee member, send me an email describing your research topic, interests, current advisor if applies, and areas you would like advising.
5) Post Doctoral positions – None currently open. Please check back.
Ph.D. 2016, Simon Fraser University – Resource and Environmental Management
M.S. 2005, Arizona State University – Environmental Technology Management
B.S. 1998, University of Arizona – Psychology, Math/Physics
B.S. 1998, University of Arizona – Optical Engineering
