You have been recently elected as Water Europe Board Member for College B, ‘Researchers & Technology Developers.’ Could you share with us what personally motivates you to take on this role, and what you hope to accomplish during your term?
Being elected as a Board Member for College B is both an honour and a responsibility. My motivation lies in the opportunity to bridge cutting-edge research and practical innovation and its uptake, fostering sustainable water management solutions and the protection of water critical infrastructure. During my term, I aim to strengthen interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration between researchers, public and private sector and society, and to ensure that innovations developed by researchers and technology developers are effectively taken up and made ready for societal adoption, addressing the pressing water challenges we face.
In representing College B, what do you see as the key challenges and most urgent needs of our members? How do you plan to address these within Water Europe?
Key challenges include securing resources for innovation, translating research outcomes into actionable solutions, and ensuring alignment with EU policy priorities. I see the European Council’s Water Resilience Strategy as a pivotal framework to address these issues, providing an opportunity for our members to align their work with a broader strategic agenda. I plan to promote dialogue and partnerships to ensure our members are at the forefront of implementing this strategy. Additionally, I would like to focus on creating platforms for collaboration, showcasing impactful success stories, and identifying R&D&I needs and gaps to inform future EU research and innovation programs.
How significant do you consider the Water-Oriented Living Labs for testing and validating research and innovation outcomes? In your view, what role can they play in building a Water-Smart Society?
Water-Oriented Living Labs (WoLLs) play a crucial role in bridging the gap between research and implementation. They offer real-world environments to co-develop, test, and implement innovative solutions alongside stakeholders, accelerating market uptake. By fostering collaboration and demonstrating tangible benefits, WoLLs can drive the adoption of sustainable practices. They focus on adaptive solutions that enhance system resilience, promote citizen engagement, and raise awareness about the sustainable and circular use of water resources, ultimately contributing to the creation of a Water-Smart Society.
A Water-Smart Society is one where the true value of water is recognised and realised. Based on your experience, what obstacles must we overcome, and what actions should we prioritize to make this vision a reality?
Key obstacles include fragmented governance, limited public awareness, and the undervaluation of water resources. Overcoming these challenges requires a holistic approach to water management, integrating social, economic, and environmental dimensions. A Water-Smart Society must embrace sustainability in all its forms, considering synergies, trade-offs, and co-benefits across sectors and scales. Actions should focus on fostering cross-sector collaboration, incorporating circular economy principles, and adapting existing infrastructures to be resilient against known and emerging challenges. Additionally, leveraging digital technologies can enhance system integration, stakeholder involvement, and knowledge sharing, enabling better decision-making and resilience. Finally, long-term thinking and innovation, including institutional and technological change, are crucial for facilitating sustainability transitions and ensuring water systems are adaptable to future challenges.
