Jonathan Burgess is the new director of the Pittsburgh Water Collaboratory

Jonathan Burgess has joined Pitt as the director of the Pittsburgh Water Collaboratory, which aims to bridge efforts in water research, governance and action across the region. In the newly created position, Burgess will expand and tighten the collaboratory’s network of community and academic connections and facilitate new collaborations and projects for the benefit of the greater Pittsburgh area. 

Established in 2017 and housed in the Department of Geology and Environmental Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Water Collaboratory works to broaden the accessibility of water-related data and expertise, respond to community needs and prepare students to solve real-world water-related challenges.

Burgess brings to the role more than over a decade of experience and leadership in environmental and agricultural science, policy analysis, program leadership and administration. Most recently, he served as director of programs and policy Allegheny County Conservation District, where his work on urban soils received the PEC Western Pennsylvania Environmental Award. He is an alumnus of Duquesne University and Sewanee: The University of the South.