Lynette de Silva

Lynette de Silva, co-Directors the Program in Water Conflict Management and Transformation at Oregon State University (OSU); and teaches courses and workshops on these topics. To increase understanding of water cooperation, de Silva edited “Resolving Water Conflicts Workbook,” writing several chapters (2022); and co-authored a book entitled, “Resolving Environmental Conflicts: Principles and Concepts” (2019). She is also a trained life coach.

de Silva has received several awards and nominations for her work, including the OSU Ecampus Award for Excellence in Online Teaching and Student Engagement; the Universities Council on Water Resources (UCOWR) Award for Education and Public Service; and the OSU Outreach and Engagement Vice Provost’s Award for Excellence in Strategic Impact.

Area of Focus

Water conflict transformation

Adaptive water governance and resilience building for marginalized communities

Professional Experience

As assistant director (2006 – 2011) and now co-director, Ms. de Silva coordinates the administration and implementation of three focus area programs: the graduate/professional certificate program; the Transboundary Freshwater Dispute Database, an information technology/outreach program; and the University Partnership for Transboundary Waters, a collaborative research program. This involves contributing to issues of topical scientific and societal importance; adding to state, national, and international visibility; consolidating programmatic cores and teaching missions; and recruiting graduate students, evaluating student applications, coordinating student admissions with the graduate faculty, and monitoring student progress.

Ms. de Silva led the initiation of a Natural Resources Leadership Academy (NRLA), at OSU. During her directorship, the academy won the 2012 Best Credit Program and the Best Overall Program Awards at the Western Association of Summer Session Administrators Conference, in San Diego. She was also a nominee for the 2012 OSU-Vice Provost’s Award for Excellence. And, in 2014, she received the Outreach and Engagement Vice Provost’s Award for Excellence in Strategic Impact for this program. The NRLA invites professionals and graduate students from across the state, nation and internationally to participate in summer coursework designed to enhance leadership skills and scientific expertise to meet the global demand for effective natural resources management.

Ms. de Silva teaches the following courses, to university graduates and undergraduates:

GEOG 241 – Transforming Environmental Conflicts (2020 – Present; via remote delivery; and online 2021 – Present)
GEOG 340 – Introduction to Water Science and Policy (2012 – Present; online and on campus; formally GEO 335/SOIL 335)
GEOG 440/540 – Conflict, Cooperation, and Control of Water in the US (2009 – Present; online; formally GEO 425/GEO 525)
GEOG 441/541 – The World’s Water (2019 – Present; online)
WRP 510 – Internship in Water Resources (2009 – Present; online and on campus).
WRP 521 – Water Conflict Management and Transformation (2011 – Present; online and on campus).
WRP 548: Conducting Collaborative Projects (2016 – Present; on campus).

de Silva was instrumental in the NSF tiered mentoring program, geared to increase the number of students from under-represented groups who pursue careers in Earth Science research and education by working with 41 juniors and sophomores from OSU, PSU and five Oregon community colleges; representing four annual cohorts. She arranged matches for mentees (and their interests), with appropriate potential mentors; and provided students with support and resources, as needed. She helped build camaraderie and a strong cohort and assisted in building capacity through advising and mentoring on career-related topics. This program and a few of her contributions are featured on the cover page and on pages 6-9 of 2016, CEOAS, Mentorship Matters: Increasing Diversity in Earth Sciences Program nurtures undergraduates, Elements Magazine, Winter 2016.

Ms. de Silva managed the terrestrial component of the Plains CO2 Reduction (PCOR) Partnership. This involved the management of projects that investigated and quantified carbon in soils and various ecosystems in the northern Great Plains. She also focused on finding potential funding opportunities for sequestering carbon in the region that promoted the use of selective land and water management practices. In this capacity, de Silva also worked on flood mitigation in the Red River Basin, the Waffle Project. She conducted public outreach to congressional staff members, county commissioners, water boards, and the general public on the progress of the study to further discussions on water-related issues and transboundary water concerns. She was instrumental in the development of a portal to data sets and resources that focused on Red River Basin flood protection.

Ms. de Silva served as a project manager in the Resource Conservation Recovery Act Corrective Action (RCRA) program, where she oversaw remediation of contaminated operating industrial facilities. This involved inspections and investigations to ensure compliance with regulator requirements; preparing comprehensive environmental assessments of the hazardous waste facilities; identifying sources of soil and groundwater contamination; reviewing plans and overseeing remediation and removal of hazardous waste; and making preliminary determinations of exposure pathways to evaluate most likely scenarios for harm to human health and the environment.

Ms. de Silva’s responsibilities included acting as support staff to geophysicists, documenting and classifying seismic data, and initiating and implementing a procedure manual for the geophysical library. Additional tasks included indexing offshore data and entering it in to the database.

Ms. de Silva’s responsibilities included interpreting LANDSAT imagery, now published; drafting a geologic map of Jamaica; and researching, compiling, and digitizing a map of world plate boundaries. Other tasks included proofreading and editing geological manuscripts, now published in scientific journals, and preparing grant proposals and submitting quarterly reports to federal agencies.

Professional Activities

Education

Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana
-Degree: MSc. Geology (Emphasis: Hydrogeology)

Brooklyn College of CUNY, Brooklyn, New York
-Degree: B.Sc. Geology

M.S.
Geology, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana

Thesis: Is There Strong Evidence Supporting Natural Attenuation of Chlorinated Solvents at the Uniontown Landfill?
Graduate Advisor – Dr. Gabriel M. Filippelli, Chair, Indiana University, Department of Earth Sciences, Indianapolis, IN

B.Sc.
Geology, Brooklyn College of CUNY, Brooklyn, New York

Affiliations

Social-Ecological Resilience and Transformation Thematic Group (SERT)

The Universities Partnership for Water Cooperation and Diplomacy

Women’s Action Research Network (W.A.R.N.)

Universities Council on Water Resources (UCOWR) Board Lead Delegate for Oregon State University (OSU)

Professional Memberships

University Committees

2006 – Present Co-Director, Program in Water Conflict Management and Transformation, OSU, Corvallis, Oregon.

2022 –
CEOAS Peer Review of Teaching Committee

2022 –
Graduate Programs Committee

2022 –
WRGP Scholarship Committee

2022 –
RA/FRA/SRA/SFRA Promotion Committee

2021 – 2022
Geography Instructor Search Committee

2020 – 2022
Geography Colloquium Committee

2020 –
CEOAS Instructor Promotion Committee

2019 – 2020
Geography Program’s Retreat Planning Committee

2018 – 2019
Water Resources Graduate Program (WRPG) Laurels Scholarship Award Committee

2017 – 2018
Gakstatter Scholarship Review Committee

2017 – 2018
CEOAS Promotion and Tenure Committee

2016 – 2017
CEOAS Peer Review of Teaching Committee

2016 – 2017
Diversity Task Force

2011 – 2012
Natural Resources Leadership Academy Steering Committee

2011 – 2012
Natural Resources Leadership Academy Academic Committee

2010 –
Graduate Faculty for Water Resources Policy and Management Program

2010 –
Master of Natural Resources (MNR) Administrative Committee

2010 –
MNR Admissions Committee

2008 – 2009
Institute of Water and Watersheds (IWW) USGS Mini-Grant Review Committee.

Awards & Nominations

2021 OSU Ecampus Award for Excellence in Online Teaching and Student Engagement (Nominated)

2019 Universities Council on Water Resources (UCOWR) Award for Education and Public Service (Nominated)

2014 OSU Outreach and Engagement Vice Provost’s Award for Excellence in Strategic Impact, for the Natural Resources Leadership Academy (Awarded)

2012 Best Credit Program and the Best Overall Program Awards at the Western Association of Summer Session Administrators Conference, in San Diego, for the Natural Resources Leadership Academy (Awarded)

2012 OSU Outreach and Engagement Vice Provost’s Award for Excellence in Strategic Impact, for the Natural Resources Leadership Academy (Nominated only)

Certificates

2020 Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Responsible Conduct of Research: Social and Behavioral Responsible Conduct of Research Course.

2020 CITI Human Research: Social and Behavioral Research Investigators and Key Personnel Course.

2020 CITI Conflict of Interest: Oregon State University Conflict of Interest Course.

2020 OSU Ecampus Developing an Online Course Workshop. An intensive, 6-week online experience that guides developers in building course materials that are appropriate for an online environment.

2018 OSUs Certificate in Teaching and Learning for Teaching Talks: A series of workshops that promotes research-based teaching approaches identified as effective in the scholarship of teaching.

2017 OSUs Certificate in Teaching and Learning for Teaching Triads: A series of workshops that improves teaching through peer observation.

Among de Silva’s proudest moments was the workshop held as part of the 34th Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, May 30 – 31, 2013. de Silva facilitated and taught a Skills-Building Workshop on Managing and Transforming Water Conflicts, sponsored by UNSECO. Twenty water specialists and senior hydrologists from Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibouti, and Burundi participated.

This two-day, informal, interactive workshop was designed to build water conflict transformational skills through enhancing our understanding of cultural and environmental perspectives at multiple scales. The workshop incorporated techniques to practice listening skills, opportunities to apply specific tools, with consideration to institutional frameworks for capacity building. Equipped with transformational approaches, one of the final activities involved participants assuming roles to negotiate a fictitious international water conflict. The participants in character worked to find benefits and mutual gains at every opportunity. They even looked for the potential of broadening the bundle of benefits beyond water initiatives that could uplift the regional socio-economy. They were genuinely pleased with the outcome and what they had achieved. Once the exercise was over, participants dropped character roles to debrief. Participants unanimously felt that the exercises had prepared them well for the final water negotiation exercise and to work through real-world scenarios.

Project

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Clients

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
UNESCO-IHE
United Nations Development Program

Books & Articles

PUBLICATIONS

de Silva, Lynette, Jahan Taganova, Jalal Naser Faqiryar, Mira Dzhakshylykova Utkir Adkhamov, Dina Kaskina, Saleem Ali, Nancy Boyer, Gabriel Mundaca, and Shaghayegh Jabalameli. Two water conflicts: North Crimea Canal & Kabul River Basin, in Land and Resources Nexus: The Role of land and resources in conflict, peacemaking and peacebuilding. (In draft)

de Silva, S., Carter, D., Eriksson, S., Guerrero E., de Silva, L., Duncan, R., & Wright, D. Broadening participation in the Geosciences through increasing opportunity and access for transfer students from 2-year colleges to 4-year colleges and universities: Insights from recent efforts in Oregon. (Unpublished)

de Silva L., and Wolf, A.T. Water as a Source of Cooperation for Water. Routledge Water Diplomacy Handbook (In Press).

de Silva L. 2022. Water Insecurities in Two African American Communities, in de Silva L. and Maser, C. (eds). Resolving Water Conflicts Workbook, CRC Press/Taylor and Francis Group, LLC, Boca Raton, FL. pp. 252.

de Silva L. 2022. Water Conflict Transformation, in de Silva L. and Maser, C. (eds). Resolving Water Conflicts Workbook, CRC Press/Taylor and Francis Group, LLC, Boca Raton, FL. pp. 252.

de Silva L. 2022. Introduction, in de Silva L. and Maser, C. (eds). Resolving Water Conflicts Workbook, CRC Press/Taylor and Francis Group, LLC, Boca Raton, FL. pp. 252.

de Silva L. 2022. Conclusion, in de Silva L. and Maser, C. (eds). Resolving Water Conflicts Workbook, CRC Press/Taylor and Francis Group, LLC, Boca Raton, FL. pp. 252.

de Silva L. and Maser, C. (eds). 2022. Resolving Water Conflicts Workbook, CRC Press/Taylor and Francis Group, LLC, Boca Raton, FL. pp. 252. (Access at https://tinyurl.com/ycknc3dt)

de Silva L. and Wolf, A.T. 2021. Chapter 7.10 Transformative Practices for Water Diplomacy, in Bogardi, J.J., Tingsanchali, T., Nandalal, K.D.W., Gupta, J., Salamé, L., van Nooijen, R.R.P., Kolechkina, A.G., Kumar, N., Bhaduri A. (eds). Handbook of Water Resources Management: Discourses, Concepts and Examples. Springer (Access at https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783030601454)

Maser, C. and de Silva L. 2019. Resolving Environmental Conflicts: Principles and Concepts, Third Edition, CRC Taylor and Francis Group, LLC, Boca Raton, FL. pp. 234. (Access at https://tinyurl.com/y4bfeot8)

de Silva L., Veilleux J.C., Neal M.J. 2018. The Role of Women in Transboundary Water Dispute Resolution, inFröhlich C., Gioli G., Cremades R., Myrttinen H. (eds). Water Security Across the Gender Divide. Water Security in a New World. Springer, Cham (Access at https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-64046-4_11)

de Silva, S.L., Guerrero, E.F., Duncan, R.A., de Silva, L., and Eriksson, S.C., 2014. Increasing Diversity in the Earth Sciences – Impact of the IDES Program in Oregon American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2014, abstract id. ED34B-05

McCaffrey, S. C.; Paisley, R. K.; de Silva, L.; Wolf, A. 2012. The Columbia River Treaty in 2014 and Beyond: International Experiences and Lessons Learned, in Transboundary River Governance in the Face of Uncertainty: The Columbia River Treaty – A Project of the Universities Consortium on Columbia River Governance, edited by Barbara Cosens. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University Press, 2012.

Cosens, B; de Silva, L; Sowards, A. M. 2012. Introduction to Parts I, II, and III, in Transboundary River Governance in the Face of Uncertainty: The Columbia River Treaty – A Project of the Universities Consortium on Columbia River Governance, edited by Barbara Cosens. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University Press, 2012.

de Silva, S.L., Duncan, R.A., Wright, D.J., de Silva, L., Guerrero, L., 2011. Increasing Diversity in the Earth Sciences (IDES) – An Oregon Effort. American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2011, abstract id. ED22A-02

De Stefano, L.; Edwards, P.; de Silva, L; Wolf, A. 2010. Tracking cooperation and conflict in international river basins. Historic and recent trends, Water Policy, Vol. 12, No. 6. pp 871-884.

de Silva, L. edited and managed the production of book entitled, “Hydropolitical Vulnerability and Resilience Along International Waters: Asia.” Wolf, A., ed. Nairobi: UN Environment Programme, 2009.

de Silva, L. edited and managed the production of book entitled, “Hydropolitical Vulnerability and Resilience Along International Waters: Europe.” Wolf, A., ed. Nairobi: UN Environment Programme, 2009.

de Silva, L. edited and managed the production of book entitled, “Hydropolitical Vulnerability and Resilience Along International Waters: North America.” Wolf, A., ed. Nairobi: UN Environment Programme, 2009.

de Silva, L.; Van der Zaag, P. 2009. Educational Strategies: An Integrative Approach to Water Relations. Unpublished document. Presentation at the 2009 World Water Week, Stockholm, Sweden.

De Stefano L.; de Silva L.; Edwards P.; Wolf, A. 2009. Updating the International Water Events Database. From Potential Conflict to Cooperation Potential (PC-CP) series. UNESCO. World Water Assessment Programme. Side publications series. Dialogue Paper. Published by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Peck, W.D.; Harju, J.A.; O’Leary, E.A.; Smith, S.A.; Sorensen, J.A.; Steadman, E.N.; Nelson, C.R.; de Silva, L.L. Plains CO2 Reduction (PCOR) Partnership Atlas; PCOR Partnership Atlas for U.S. Department of Energy and multiclients; Energy & Environmental Research Center: Grand Forks, ND, 2005.

de Silva, L.L.; Cihacek, L.J.; Leistritz, F.L.; Faller, T.C.; Bangsund, D.A.; Sorensen, J.A.; Steadman, E.N.; Harju, J.A. The Contribution of Soils to Carbon Sequestration; Plains CO2 Reduction (PCOR) September 20, 2007, Forks, ND, August 2005.

Steadman, E.N.; Sorensen, J.A.; Reilkoff, T.E.; O’Leary, E.M.; de Silva, L.L.; Jensen, M.D.; Harju, J.A. The Plains CO2 Reduction (PCOR) Partnership: Identifying and Developing Greenhouse Gas Sequestration Opportunities in the North American Great Plains. In Proceedings of Western Fuels Symposium: 19th International Conference on Lignite, Brown, and Subbituminous Coals; Billings, MT, Oct 12–14, 2004.

Wang, X.; Groenewold, G.H.; Steadman, E.N.; Bolles, B.A.; Peck, W.D.; de Silva, L.L.; Dokken, H.M. A Coupled Hydrologic-Hydraulic Model for Flood Reduction Analysis in the Red River of the North Basin. Presented at the 1st International Water Conference, Moorhead, MN, April 23–24, 2003.

Burke, K., and Lucas, L., 1989, Thrusting on the Tibetan plateau within the last five MA., in Sengor, A.M.C., Tectonic evolution of the Tethyan region: Kluwer, p. 507–512.

Lucas, L. et al., 1989, A map of the faults at Plate Boundaries: EOS, v. 70, no. 15, p. 469.

Workshops, Presentations, & Posters

Workshops, Presentations and Posters

de Silva, L. Designed a MOOC on Water Diplomacy Tools: Reframing for Universities Partnership for Water Cooperation and Diplomacy. Completed February 22, 2023.
de Silva, L. Speaker on What is missing from transboundary water datasets? Online Engagement Session: MOOC on Governance for Transboundary Freshwater Security “Using data in transboundary water management & negotiation.” Hosted by OSU Transboundary Freshwater Dispute Database in Collaboration with Global Water Partnership. Held via Zoom, November 2, 2022.
de Silva, L. Keynote Speaker on What about Mediation and biodiversity? At World Mediation Forum. XIth Conference – Current Conflicts of Humanity: New Challenges for Mediation. Held online October 25, 2022.
de Silva, L. Invited to speak at OSU Environmental Sciences Orientation Course (ENSC 101). Talk is entitled, It’s a Journey! Held at OSU Gilfillan Auditorium, October 21, 2022
de Silva, L. Invited as a guest lecturer to present on Resolving Environmental Conflicts: the role of women in transboundary water dispute resolution, by the Department of Geography and Spatial Sciences, University of Delaware for a Peace and Justice Studies: An Intro Course, held via Zoom, April 7, 2022.
de Silva, L. Invited as a distinguished speaker on water security for the Fall Environmental Security Thought Leadership and Networking Series. Talk is entitled, Sharing Transboundary Waters: Tools, Techniques and Tips, at the Elliott School of International Affairs at The George Washington University, held via Zoom, October 7, 2021
de Silva, L. Invited to speak at OSU Environmental Sciences Orientation Course (ENSC 101). Talk is entitled, It’s a Journey! Held at OSU Gilfillan Auditorium, October 29, 2021
de Silva, L. Invited as a distinguished speaker on water security for the Fall Environmental Security Thought Leadership and Networking Series. Talk is entitled, Sharing Transboundary Waters: Tools, Techniques and Tips, at the Elliott School of International Affairs at The George Washington University, held via Zoom, October 7, 2021.
de Silva, L. Designed a MOOC on Water Cooperation and Diplomacy: the role of women in transboundary water dispute resolution for Universities Partnership for Water Cooperation and Diplomacy. Completed May 2, 2021.
de Silva, L. Invited to speak at OSU Honor’s College Event hosting Alumni in Texas, on The Role of Women in Water Management, held via Zoom, March 17, 2021.
de Silva, L. Invited to speak at Oregon State University Geography Colloquium, on Transformative Water Conflict Analysis: The Vanport Case Study, held via Zoom, February 12, 2021.
de Silva, L. Invited to speak at American Water Resources Association Webinar, on Women & Water Conflicts, held via Zoom, January 13, 2021.
de Silva, L. Invited to speak at Whitman College – Geology Department, Senior Seminar Series, on Fostering Water Cooperation, held via Zoom, October 5, 2020.
de Silva, L. Invited to speak at OSU Water Café – Calculating the Blue Peace Index, on The Columbia River Basin, held at OSUs Strand Ag. room 212, February 12, 2020.
de Silva, L. Invited to speak as a guest lecturer, for an OSU graduate course entitled, “Excelling in an Interdisciplinary Team” on Conflicting and Converging Insights, held at OSUs Heckart Lodge room 110, February 3, 2020.
de Silva, L. Invited to speak at OSU Water Resources Seminar Series, on The Role of Women in Transboundary Water Dispute Resolution, held at OSUs Bexell Hall room 328, October 2, 2019.
de Silva, L. Moderator for the Deeper Than Science: A Panel of Environmental Ethics Perspectives, part of the Oregon Climate Change Nexus – Need for Extreme Unity for Sustainability Series, held at OSUs Memorial Union Ballroom, April 24-25, 2019.
de Silva, L. Presented Water Transformative Tools You Can Use. A breakout workshop, at the 9th Annual Pacific Northwest Water Research Symposium, hosted by the OSU Hydrophiles, OSUs CH2M Hill Alumni Center, Corvallis, Oregon, April 8, 2019.
de Silva, L. Invited to present, The Program in Water Conflict Management and Transformation, at the OSU150 Land Grant Festival – Celebrating Global Impact, at LaSells Stewart Center on October 15, 2018.
de Silva, L. Presented Honing Water Cooperative Skills through the Vanport Mosaic. A breakout workshop, at the 8th Annual Pacific Northwest Water Research Symposium, hosted by the OSU Hydrophiles, OSUs CH2M Hill Alumni Center, Corvallis, Oregon, April 23, 2018.
de Silva, L. Invited as a panelist at session, Identifying Possible Solutions, 2017 AWRA Washington State Conference, Mountaineers Seattle Program Center, Seattle, Washington USA, October 3, 2017.
de Silva, L. Invited as a panelist at the Water connects – Cooperative solutions and best practices without borders, the Women’s Forum, Budapest Water Summit 2016, Millenáris Park, Budapest, Hungry, November 29-30, 2016.
de Silva, L. Water Diplomacy and the Four Worlds. An oral presentation given at the Fall 2013 OSU Water Resources Seminar Series: Human Dimensions of Water. Held at OSU, Corvallis, Oregon, October 2, 2013.
de Silva, L. How do we manage governance through Eflows? Invited to give an oral presentation at the session entitled, Eflows – Bridging Climate, Political and Institution Borders, held at the World Water Week, Stockholm, Sweden, September 5, 2013.
de Silva, L. Paths to managing and transforming conflict management. Invited to give an oral presentation, at International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Battaramulla, Sri Lanka, July 2, 2013.
Skills-Building Workshop (facilitated and taught): UNESCO “Train the Trainer” Shared Waters Training Manual Course for senior water professionals from Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibouti and Burundi. Workshop held as part of the 34th Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, May 30 – 31, 2013.
de Silva, L. Invited to speak on How to add intangible values to the water management equation, at The 6th World Water Forum on The Relevance of “Intangible” Values in IWRM Marseille, France, March 15, 2012.
de Silva, L.L. Water Conflict Management and Transformation & Basins at Risk. An oral presentation and workshop on Water: The Key to Regional Stability, held at University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, September 27-29, 2010.
de Silva, L.L. Program in Water Conflict Management & Transformation Program in Water Conflict Management & Transformation. An oral presentation at the Got Water? Managing It for the Future: A Forum Our Regional Water Supply, held at the First Unitarian Church, Portland OR, June 4 – 5, 2010.
de Silva, L.L. Boundless Basins: What are the successes and failures of hydro-solidarity?” An oral presentation at the 5^th World Water Forum, Istanbul, Turkey, March 16 – 22, 2009.
de Silva, L.L. UPTW Programme in Transboundary Groundwater: Umatilla Basin, USA. An oral presentation at the 5^th World Water Forum, Istanbul, Turkey, March 16 – 22, 2009.
de Silva, L.L. Transboundary aquifers (Part 3). Moderator of this special session hosted by the Universities Partnership for Transboundary Waters at the 13th International Water Resources Association World Water Congress, Montpellier, France, September 1–4, 2008.
de Silva, L.L. Program in Water Conflict Management & Transformation. An oral presentation. Also, acted as moderator at the 2008 Universities Council on Water Resources/The National Institutes for Water Resources Annual Conference. International Water Resources: Challenges for the 21st Century and Water Resources Education, Durham, NC, July 22–24, 2008.
de Silva, L.L. The Certificate in Water Conflict Management and Transformation. An oral presentation at the 2008 UCWR/NIWR Annual Conference, International Water Resources: Challenges for the 21st Century and Water Resources Education, Durham, NC, July 22–24, 2008.
MacQuarrie, P.; de Silva, L.L.; Santelmann, M.V.; Wolf, A.T.; Eidem, N. An Integrated Program to Inform Water Policy and Conflict Management. Poster presentation at the 7th Biennial Conference on University Education in Natural Resources, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, March 13-15, 2008.
de Silva, L.L. The Transboundary Freshwater Dispute Database. An abstract in the International Network of Basin Organizations Newsletter, in Volume 16, December 2007–January 2008.
MacQuarrie, P.; de Silva, L.L.; Santelmann, M.V.; Wolf, A.T.; Eidem, N. An Integrated Program to Inform Water Policy and Conflict Management. Poster presentation at Water in the Pacific Northwest: Moving Science into Policy and Action, Annual Conference, Stevenson, Washington, November 7-9, 2007.
de Silva, L.L. Kurz, M., Bolles B.; Williams, K.; Maki, C.; Johnson J. The Impact of Short-Term Water Storage on Agriculture – A Field Demonstration. Oral presentation and abstract at the American Water Resources Association, Annual Conference, Seattle, Washington, November 7–10, 2005.
de Silva, L.L.; Peck, W.D.; Bolles, B.A.; Wang, X.; Dokken, H.M.; Groenewold, G.H.; Steadman, E.N. Utilization of GIS in Flood Mitigation. A Case Study in the Red River Basin of the North America. Poster at the International Conference of GIS and Remote Sensing in Hydrology, Water Resources, Environment; Yichang, China, Sept 16–19, 2003.
Bolles, B.A.; Wang, X.; de Silva, L.L.; Dokken, H.M.; Groenewold, G.H.; Peck, W.D.; Steadman, E.N. An Innovative, Basinwide Approach to Flood Mitigation: The Waffle Project. Presented at the International Conference of GIS and Remote Sensing in Hydrology, Water Resources, Environment; Yichang, China, Sept 16–19, 2003.
Wang, X.; Groenewold, G.H.; Steadman, E.N.; Bolles, B.A.; Peck, W.D.; de Silva, L.L.; Dokken, H.M. Waffle^SM: An Innovative Integrated Watershed Management Practice. Presented at the Eighth National Watershed Conference, Council Bluffs, IA, June 6–11, 2003.
Burke, K., and Lucas, L., 1989, Thrusting on the Tibetan plateau within the last five MA., in Sengor, A.M.C., Tectonic evolution of the Tethyan region: Kluwer, p. 507–512.
Lucas, L. et al., 1989, A map of the faults at Plate Boundaries: EOS, v. 70, no. 15, p. 469.

Synergistic Activities

Acted in role play on MOOC for Water Diplomacy Tools: Shared Values for Universities Partnership for Water Cooperation and Diplomacy. Completed February 22, 2023.
Assisted OSU Department of Physics in their review of an instructor for promotion to Senior Instructor I, process completed on November 30, 2022.
Reviewed a manuscript for the International Journal of Water Resources Development. Completed on October 31, 2022.
Hosted the Vanport Mosaic Exhibit in OSUs Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center, Corvallis, Oregon, October 28-29, 2022 [The exhibit tells the story of the historic Vanport flood that washed away the most populous black community, in Oregon].
Hosted the Vanport Mosaic Exhibit in OSUs CEOAS 193 Burt Hall – Reception Areas, Corvallis, Oregon, October 25-27, 2022. [The exhibit tells the story of the historic Vanport flood that washed away the most populous black community, in Oregon].
Designed a module for massive open online courses for a general audience through the Universities Partnership for Water Cooperation and Diplomacy on the topic of the role of women in transboundary water governance, May 2022.
Co-taught Conflict Transformation Module, as part of a Water Conflict Negotiation and Mediation Course through IHE Delft Institute for Water Education. Training held through IHE eCampus and Zoom platforms: May 10-14, 2021 and April 20-24, 2020.
Developed the online version GEOG 241 – Transforming Environmental Conflicts Course, winter term, 2021. Co-developed the on campus version An intensive, 6-week online experience that guides developers in building course materials that are appropriate for an online environment.
Co-developed the campus version of GEOG 241 – Transforming Environmental Conflicts Course, summer term, 2020.
Participated in the Gullah/Geechee Sustainability Think Tank in a virtual interactive Coastal Cultures Conference: Climate, Rising Sea & Cultural Sustainability via Zoom on March 13, 2021.
Participated in roundtable discussions on Community Resilience to Climate Change, held through the Universities Council on Water Resources, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, via Zoom on October 14, 2020.
Attended the Without Borders: Tracing the Cultural, Archival and Political African Diaspor An international Gullah Geechee and African Diaspora Conference at Coastal Carolina University on March 4-7, 2020
Assisted OSU Department of Fisheries and Wildlife in their review of an instructor for promotion to Senior Instructor, process completed on October 5, 2019.
Designed a Canvas Water Conflict Management Studio to provide a roadmap for Certificate students for completing the Water Conflict Management and Transformation Certificate Program requirements. In addition, it’s designed as a resource platform to facilitate greater connectivity: (1) Among Certificate students (on campus and online); (2) Towards transitioning to OSU programs that might be of interest to students; and, (3) To water-related opportunities (job postings, webinars, on-campus clubs). June 28, 2018.
Participated in the Bus Tour of the Former Vanport Site; and the Forum: Lessons from Vanport and Katrina – A dialogue to create community resilience during extreme weather conditions. Held at Portland Expo Center, Oregon, on May 28, 2018.
Hosted the Vanport Mosaic Exhibit in OSUs Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center, Corvallis, Oregon, April 24-25, 2018. [The exhibit tells the story of the historic Vanport flood that washed away the most populous black community, in Oregon].
Participated in the Supporting and Advancing Geoscience Education at Two-Year Colleges (SAGE 2YC) Regional Earth Science Teaching Workshop Floods of Change: The Vanport Floods, Stereotype Threat and 2YC-4YC Transfer, held at Portland State University on Saturday January 27, 2018.
Starting Spring 2017, de Silva voluntarily assumed the role of OSU Geography Social Chair. In this capacity, de Silva organized and hosted the GEOG 2017 Spring Social – Welcome Back! Let’s Anew with Fondue, an informal social gathering, to welcome all geography students and faculty back after Spring Break; and the socials held before the 2017 Fall & 2018 Winter Seminar Series.
At the 10^th African American Youth Leadership Conference, held at Oregon State University on March 29, 2016, de Silva gave the Welcoming Remarks at the Conference Opening; and volunteered as needed throughout the day.
de Silva participated in OSU’s campus-wide Beaver Nations Campaign, through featured banner displays and an interview. This brought additional notoriety to the College of Earth Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (CEOAS), and the Certificate Program. (September 2014 – Present). The published article is showcased here – http://beavernation.is/thenation/desilva/.
Served on the Institute Evaluation Panel, assessing 54 US Geological Survey Water Resources Research Institutes. Evaluated were their program activities for fiscal years 2008 – 2010. This included each institution’s regional research and information, technology transfer, and operations. (February – July 2014)
Facilitated roundtable discussions on Creative Approaches to Water Cooperation, at the Water and Peace Diplomacy: From Conflicts to Cooperation Session on September 4, at 2013 World Water Week, Stockholm, Sweden.
Volunteers as a mediation practitioner within Benton County (Oregon) Small Claims Mediation Program & conducts community mediations (2011 – Present).
Teaches graduate courses and directs non-thesis students. Ms. de Silva is on the Graduate Faculty for OSU’s Water Resources Policy and Management Program (2010).
Establishes procedural processes for coordination between OSU’s Master of Natural Resources degree program (MNR) and graduate certificate programs. Ms. de Silva is a member of the MNR Administrative Committee (2010).
Follows admissions criteria established in the MNR Category I proposal and review of applications. Ms. de Silva is a member of the MNR Admissions Committee (2010).
Coordinated the 2nd Annual Symposium on Transboundary River Governance in The Face of Uncertainty: The Columbia River Treaty, 2014, held at Oregon State University, November 7–10, 2010.
Facilitated roundtable discussions on Water Conflict Management in the Climate Change and Governance Session at 2010 World Water Week, Stockholm, Sweden.
Volunteered as instructor for on campus WRP 510: Internship (2010).
Assisted in coordinating the Natural Resource and Environment Symposium 2009, entitled, “Transboundary River Governance in the Face of Uncertainty: The Columbia River Treaty, 2014,” held in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, April 2–4, 2009.
Lead Board Delegate, Universities Council on Water Resources (UCOWR) for Oregon State University, Oregon, 2009–present.
Coordinated and acted as moderator for a special session co-hosted by the Universities Partnership for Transboundary Waters (UPTW), addressing Transboundary aquifers (Part 3), at the 13th International Water Resources Association World Water Congress, Montpellier, France, September 1–4, 2008.

Successful Proposals, Contracts and Memorandums of Understanding (MOU)

In partnership with University of Delaware, Land and Resources Focus for Bridging Insights Project: Why It Worked. Coordinated by Center for Public Leadership, Harvard Kennedy School. $10,000. 2022-2023.
Wrote two successful proposals between Dec 2016 – Jan 2017, to provide Water Conflict Management and Transformation students with a wider array of topics within each designated theme, from which to design a program of study that meets their professional goals for the: Graduate Minor Water Conflict Management and Transformation Graduate Certificate Water Conflict Management and Transformation
Accompanied by Brenda McCombs, former Dean of the Graduate School, de Silva attended meetings on behalf of OSU and the Water Resources Graduate Program, held at the University for Peace, Costa Rica, September 2014. These meetings were instrumental in expediting the crafting of the Memorandum of Agreement for the Joint Education Programme: Water Cooperation and Peace, with UNESCO-IHE and the University for Peace. This program was officially launched April 2015.
MOU between the Han River Watershed Management Committee of the Republic of Korea and the Institute for OSU’s Water and Watersheds. March 25, 2014.
Transboundary Waters Assessment Project – The River Basins Component. Coordinated by DHI. $94,000. 2013-2015.
“Enhancing the Institutional Capacity of Managing Water in the West.” U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. $120,000. 2010-2011.
“African Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW) Capacity Development Program.” Environmental Law Institute. $20,000. 2010-2012.
Category II – “Initiation of an Instructional Program Leading to A Graduate Minor in Water Conflict Management and Transformation.” Spring 2010.
“Furthering IWMI-OSU cooperation on transboundary water research.” The International Water Management Institute (IWMI). $15,000. 10/15/2009 through 03/15/2010.
“The Geography, Geology and Hydropolitics of Israel and Palestine.” OSU L.L. Stewart Faculty Development Award. $2,195. Winter Term, 2009.
“Water Anchor: Adaptation to Climate Change in the Water Sector,” submitted to the World Bank for $70,000 in October 2008.
Category I – “Proposal for the Initiation of a New Instructional Program Leading to A Graduate Certificate in Water Conflict Management and Transformation.” Fall 2008.
MOU between the Department of Geosciences and OSU Extended Campus. OSU Extended Campus. $75,000. Effective September 2008.
“Upgrading the Transboundary Freshwater Dispute Database.” The International Water Management Institute, $27,000. 09/01/2007 – 08/30/2008.
MOU between the Institute for Water and Water Resources, US Army Corps of Engineer, and the State of Oregon acting by and through OSU for the Institute for Water and Watersheds. The International Center for Integrated Water Resources Management (ICIWaRM). September 20, 2007.