The authors, an ecologist and a social researcher, integrate biophysical and social research to improve outcomes of environmental flows. Robyn Watts has been teaching and undertaking research on the ecology, management and restoration of aquatic ecosystems for 25 years. Robyn has led several multidisciplinary research projects on environmental water in partnership with ecologists, hydrologists, geomorphologists, social scientists, natural resource managers and the community. Catherine Allan’s early training in agricultural science, and undertaking environmental works with land and water managers, led her to enter academia questioning discipline boundaries. Over two decades teaching and researching adaptive management and social learning in relation to natural resources have consolidated Catherine’s conviction that integrating approaches to science are essential in the Anthropocene. Robyn and Catherine combine their knowledge and experiences in applied water research, and the opportunities emerging from working together are contributing to improved water management in the Murray-Darling Basin.