Research & Development
מחקר ופיתוח
ما يوجّه عملنا
Our research and development work drives innovation across the water-energy-food nexus, uniting policy, technology, and socio-political and cultural inquiry across multidisciplinary projects addressing water resource management, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and climate change resilience.
Ecosystem Services
The Center for Arid Socio Ecology has been studying ecosystem services of the Arava since 2010 and the project is ongoing.
Study Program
In the following sections, you will explore the key elements of your experience at the Arava Institute, including academic courses, integrated community programming and dialogue, and field trips that together shape a meaningful and immersive semester.
AgriPV Applied Research
The project investigates agrivoltaic (AgriPV) systems—integrating photovoltaic energy generation with agricultural production—to advance sustainable, off-grid farming solutions in arid environments.
Dr. Elise Machline
Elise.Machline@arava.org
Off-Grid Technology Hubs for Israel’s Bedouin Sector
Off-grid technology hubs integrating water, energy, and education to support resilient, sustainable communities in the Negev.
The Sonia Twite Shelter Garden
The Shelter Garden is a conservation and research initiative focused on protecting rare desert plants and restoring biodiversity in the Arava. It combines science, education, and community engagement in a living, accessible landscape.
Dr. Elaine Solowey
Researcher Emerita
Argania Spinosa
The project integrates decades of agricultural research with applied innovation, with the goal of establishing a sustainable, locally based argan oil industry in the region.
Water & Nutrient Management of Trees
Off-Grid Water & Waste Systems in the Jordan Valley
The project addresses critical challenges related to water scarcity, sanitation, and resource efficiency in one of the region’s most environmentally vulnerable areas.
Dr. Clive Lipchin
Lead Researcher for Water
Ancient Dates
Reviving 2,000-year-old date palms to explore ancient agriculture, biodiversity, and future resilience.
Eating Off the Grid
The study explores food systems in Al-Fura’a, one of the largest unrecognized Bedouin villages in the Negev Desert.
Mr. Omad Abdelshakur
People’s Water Data (Pwd) Initiative
This project, in partnership with Tel Aviv University, focuses on assessing and improving drinking water quality in unrecognized Bedouin villages in the Negev Desert.
Negev Highlands Traditional Bedouin Agriculture
The project focuses on reviving traditional Bedouin agricultural practices, conserving native medicinal plant species, and documenting Indigenous ecological knowledge in the Negev Highlands.
Dr. Miri Lavi-Neeman
Lead Researcher for Socio-Ecology
Solar Thermal Technologies
The study contributes to the development of sustainable, low-cost heating technologies suitable for arid and off-grid environments.
Science and Sociology of Wood Burning Stoves
The study investigated both the measurable environmental impacts of wood burning and the broader social, cultural, and political dynamics associated with its use.
Dr. Rina Kedem
Pastoralist Communities in Climate Frontier
This multi-year research initiative examines the impacts of climate change on pastoralist communities across borderland regions, including Negev Highlands, Golan Heights, and Area C of the West Bank.
Introducing Native Plants into Gardening and Agriculture Systems
The project focuses on integrating native plant species into agricultural systems and community landscapes in the Arava region.
Dr. Suleiman Halasah
Biogas Digestate Fertilization
The project explores the use of small-scale biogas systems as a sustainable solution for managing raw chicken manure in agricultural systems.
Dr. Tareq Abu Hamed
Director of the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies
Dr. David Lehrer
Lead Researcher for Applied Environmental Diplomacy
david@arava.org
Dr. Oren Hoffman
Lead Researcher for Sustainable Agriculture
Dr. Jessica Schäckermann
Academic Director
AiesAD@arava.org
Dr. József Kádár
Jozsef.Kadar@arava.org
Mr. Fareed Mahameed
Researcher for Water
Projects
Ecosystem Services
The Center for Arid Socio Ecology has been studying ecosystem services of the Arava since 2010 and the project is ongoing.
Study Program
In the following sections, you will explore the key elements of your experience at the Arava Institute, including academic courses, integrated community programming and dialogue, and field trips that together shape a meaningful and immersive semester.
AgriPV Applied Research
The project investigates agrivoltaic (AgriPV) systems—integrating photovoltaic energy generation with agricultural production—to advance sustainable, off-grid farming solutions in arid environments.
The Sonia Twite Shelter Garden
The Shelter Garden is a conservation and research initiative focused on protecting rare desert plants and restoring biodiversity in the Arava. It combines science, education, and community engagement in a living, accessible landscape.
Off-Grid Technology Hubs for Israel’s Bedouin Sector
Off-grid technology hubs integrating water, energy, and education to support resilient, sustainable communities in the Negev.
Argania Spinosa
The project integrates decades of agricultural research with applied innovation, with the goal of establishing a sustainable, locally based argan oil industry in the region.
Water & Nutrient Management of Trees
Ancient Dates
Reviving 2,000-year-old date palms to explore ancient agriculture, biodiversity, and future resilience.
Off-Grid Water & Waste Systems in the Jordan Valley
The project addresses critical challenges related to water scarcity, sanitation, and resource efficiency in one of the region’s most environmentally vulnerable areas.
People’s Water Data (Pwd) Initiative
This project, in partnership with Tel Aviv University, focuses on assessing and improving drinking water quality in unrecognized Bedouin villages in the Negev Desert.
Eating Off the Grid
The study explores food systems in Al-Fura’a, one of the largest unrecognized Bedouin villages in the Negev Desert.
Solar Thermal Technologies
The study contributes to the development of sustainable, low-cost heating technologies suitable for arid and off-grid environments.
Negev Highlands Traditional Bedouin Agriculture
The project focuses on reviving traditional Bedouin agricultural practices, conserving native medicinal plant species, and documenting Indigenous ecological knowledge in the Negev Highlands.
Science and Sociology of Wood Burning Stoves
The study investigated both the measurable environmental impacts of wood burning and the broader social, cultural, and political dynamics associated with its use.
Pastoralist Communities in Climate Frontier
This multi-year research initiative examines the impacts of climate change on pastoralist communities across borderland regions, including Negev Highlands, Golan Heights, and Area C of the West Bank.
Introducing Native Plants into Gardening and Agriculture Systems
The project focuses on integrating native plant species into agricultural systems and community landscapes in the Arava region.
Biogas Digestate Fertilization
The project explores the use of small-scale biogas systems as a sustainable solution for managing raw chicken manure in agricultural systems.
Researchers
Dr. Jessica Schäckermann
Academic Director AiesAD@arava.org
Dr. Clive Lipchin
Lead Researcher for Water
Dr. David Lehrer
Lead Researcher for Applied Environmental Diplomacy david@arava.org
Dr. Elaine Solowey
Researcher Emerita
Dr. Elise Machline
Elise.Machline@arava.org
Mr. Fareed Mahameed
Researcher for Water
Dr. József Kádár
Jozsef.Kadar@arava.org
Dr. Miri Lavi-Neeman
Lead Researcher for Socio-Ecology
Mr. Omad Abdelshakur
Dr. Oren Hoffman
Lead Researcher for Sustainable Agriculture
Dr. Rina Kedem
Dr. Suleiman Halasah
Dr. Tareq Abu Hamed
Director of the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies