Summary
All details about the Water Cycle course and how to register.
Article body
| Organised by | WIMEK |
| Date | 19 to 23 April 2027 |
| Duration | 1 full week (Monday to Friday) |
| Registration | Register here |
| Registration deadline | Deadline is 19 March 2027 |
Content coordinators: Henk Ovink (Founding Commissioner, Global Commission on the Economics of Water; Dutch Special Envoy for International Water Affairs), Barteld Vervelde (Researcher, Land Use and Food Security); Adriaan Mels (Chairholder of Water Technology and Metropolitan Solutions at Environmental Technology), Svenja Fischer (Assistant professor at the Hydrology and Environmental Hydraulics group), Gerlo Borghuis (Lecturer Water Resources Management) and Bregje van der Bolt (Assistant professor on Water management and climate change adaptation)
Course coordinator: Elackiya Sithamparanathan (WIMEK); elackiya.sithamparanathan@wur.nl or wimek@wur.nl
Table of Contents
General information
Registration deadline
Early bird registration deadline: 01 March 2027
Regular registration deadline: 19 March 2027
Instructions to register and pay
(please read before clicking the link below)
The link will open a registration form where you will fill out your information and where you will also be expected to pay. Please note: your registration is only complete when the payment has been received. You will fill out your information and decide on your payment method.
WUR PhD candidate
As a WUR PhD candidate you can pay via the project number. When clicking the project number option, you will be required to enter your Project Number and Cost Center Code (Kostenplaats in Dutch). If you have questions about these numbers, please reach out to the MOA of your chair group.
Are you affiliated to another university/institute
Is another institute/university paying for you? Please choose the invoice option. If you choose the invoice option so that another university/institute pays your registration fee, you will input the information from your university, you will download the invoice and you are responsible of sending it yourself to your university/institute.
To register, please click here.
Target group
Officially a WIMEK-course, but we would like to have a diverse group of PhD students with a background in environmental sciences; course is open to all students from all universities.
Group size
Minimum: 20
Maximum: 25
Credit points
1.5 ECTs
Scope
Using a systems thinking approach and through the lens of the water cycle, this course helps students to position their PhD research within the broader challenge of achieving sustainable and resilient water cycle futures, considering biophysical processes, nexus interactions, solution-oriented approaches, governance contexts, and adaptation pathways.
Learning goals
After successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Analyse how their PhD research relates to the functioning of the water cycle and contemporary water challenges across systems and scales.
- Evaluate how their PhD research connects to interactions and trade-offs within the water-food-energy-biodiversity nexus and assess how a nexus perspective could strengthen their research.
- Compare and apply different solution-oriented approaches to water-related challenges, and critically analyse synergies, trade-offs, and potential unintended consequences.
- Evaluate the role of governance across scales in enabling or constraining solution-oriented approaches to water challenges and reflect on how their PhD research may inform decision-making, policy, practice, or societal debate.
- Reflect on and articulate how their PhD research could contribute to pathways towards sustainable and resilient water cycle futures.
Course fee
| Fee | |
| WIMEK and all other WUR PhD candidates with an approved TSP | €240 (early bird) / €290 (regular) |
| SENSE PhDs with TSP | €480 (early bird) / €530 (regular) |
| All other PhD candidates | €520 (early bird) / €570 (regular) |
| Postdocs and staff of WUR Graduate Schools/graduate schools mentioned above | €520 (early bird) / €570 (regular) |
| All others | €1040 (early bird) / €1090 (regular) |
The course fee includes coffee, tea and lunch on all 5 days, and dinner on day 1 and drinks on day 5.
The fee does not include accommodation, breakfast and dinner (apart from dinner on day 1). Accommodation is not included in the fee of the course, but there are several possibilities in Wageningen. For information on B&B’s and hotels in Wageningen please visit proefwageningen.nl/overnachten. Another option is Short Stay Wageningen. Furthermore, Airbnb offers several rooms in the area. Note that besides the restaurants in Wageningen, there are also options to have dinner at Wageningen Campus.
Cancellation conditions
Up to 4 weeks before the start of the course, cancellation is free of charge.
Up to 2 weeks before the start of the course, a fee of 50% of the full costs will be charged.
In case of cancellation within 2 weeks before the start of the course, a fee of 100% of the full costs will be charged.
If you do not show at all, a fee of 100% of the full costs and a fine of 100 EUR will be charged.
Confirmed lecturers / speakers
|
Names |
Short bio |
|
Henk Ovink |
Founding Commissioner, Global Commission on the Economics of Water; Dutch Special Envoy for International Water Affairs; Senior Fellow Sustainable Water management (WUR); Professor of Water Cycle Diplomacy and Design (TU Delft) |
|
Petra Hellegers |
Professor and Chair of the Water Resources Management group, WUR |
|
Adriaan Mels |
Chairholder of Water Technology and Metropolitan Solutions at Environmental Technology, WUR |
|
Barteld Vervelde
|
Researcher, Land Use and Food Security, WUR |
|
Hester Biemans |
Special Professor Water and Crop Production, WUR |
|
Douglas Sheil |
Professor, WUR ; Ecologist, forester and conservationist |
|
Ryan Teuling |
Associate professor, Hydrology and Environmental Hydraulics, WUR |
|
Svenja Fischer |
Assistant professor, Hydrology and Environmental Hydraulics, WUR |
|
Bregje van der Bolt |
Assistant professor on Water management and climate change adaptation, WUR |
|
Gerlo Borghuis |
Lecturer Water Resources Management , WUR |
|
Angel de Miguel Garcia |
Researcher in water management and agriculture, WUR |
|
Margreet Zwarteveen |
Professor Transformative Water Governance at the University of Amsterdam |
|
Elizabeth Sellwood (online) |
Senior Advisor, United Nations Environment Programme, Greece |
|
Edoardo Borgomeo (online) |
Associate Professor of Water Engineering, University of Cambridge |
|
Susanne Schmeier |
Professor of Water Cooperation, Law, and Diplomacy at IHE Delft |
More to be announced...
Course programme
Monday, 19 April 2027
Learning Goal: Be able to analyse how your PhD research relates to the functioning of the water cycle and contemporary water challenges across systems and scales.
Morning Programme (9.00-12.30):
|
Time |
Activity |
Description |
Lecturer |
|
9.00-9.20 |
Welcome & Introduction to the Programme |
Introduction to the 5-day programme, including interactive element, requesting what they expect to get out of this course |
Barteld & Henk |
|
9.20-9.45 |
Interactive introduction in groups |
Getting to know each other through an interactive introduction in groups |
Barteld |
|
9.45-10.05 |
Lecture 1: What is the Water Cycle? |
Lecture by Henk Ovink on the concept of the water cycle and particularly green water’s role |
Henk |
|
10.05-10.30 |
Discussion |
Interactive discussion on the lecture by Henk |
Henk |
|
10.30-11.00 |
Break | ||
|
11.00-11.20 |
Lecture 2: Agri-cultural land use & the Water Cycle |
Lecture by Petra Hellegers: How does agricultural land use management influence the water cycle? |
Petra |
|
11.20-11.45 |
Discussion |
Interactive discussion on the lecture by Petra |
Petra |
|
11.45-12.05 |
Lecture 3: Natural land use & the water cycle |
Lecture by Douglas Sheil: What role do natural ecosystems play within the water cycle? |
Douglas |
|
12.05-12.30 |
Discussion |
Interactive discussion on the lecture by Douglas |
Douglas |
|
12.30-13.30 |
Lunch break | ||
Afternoon Programme (13.30-17.00):
|
Time |
Activity |
Description |
Lecturer |
|
13.30-13.50 |
Lecture 4: The Water Cycle & Climate Change |
Lecture by Svenja Fischer: How does climate change impact the water cycle? |
Svenja |
|
13.50-14.15 |
Discussion |
Interactive discussion on the lecture by Svenja |
Svenja |
|
14.15-15.00 |
Plenary/panel discussion |
Plenary/panel discussion on the role of Green Water within the wider Water cycle |
Henk & lecturers |
|
15.00-15.30 |
Break | ||
|
15.30-15.50 |
Research plotting |
Plotting of PhD’s research on the infographic of the Water Cycle in groups |
Henk & Barteld |
|
15.50-16.30 |
Workshop |
Identify opportunity gaps in their understanding of how their research relates to the Water Cycle and what their objectives are for this week |
Henk & Barteld |
|
16.30-16.55 |
Team Reflection (walking) |
Team reflection on how their research could influence or relate to the Water Cycle |
Henk & Barteld |
|
16.55-17.00 |
Plenary closure |
Summarising today’s learning outcomes & look-out to tomorrow's programme |
Barteld |
|
17.00-18.00 |
Closing drinks | ||
Tuesday, 20 April 2027
Learning goal: Be able to evaluate how your PhD research connects to interactions and trade-offs within the water-food-energy-biodiversity nexus and assess how a nexus perspective could strengthen their research.
Morning Programme (9.00-12.30):
|
Time |
Activity |
Description |
Lecturer |
|
9.00-9.15 |
Recap of reflections |
Discussion in pairs on their reflections of yesterday’s programme in one slide |
Barteld |
|
9.15-9.30 |
Programme introduction |
Introduction to today’s programme by Barteld |
Barteld |
|
9.30-9.50 |
Lecture 1: Water & Food Nexus |
Lecture by Hester Biemans |
Hester |
|
9.50-10.10 |
Discussion |
Interactive discussion on the lecture by Hester |
Hester |
|
10.10-10.40 |
Break | ||
|
10.40-11.00 |
Lecture 2: Water & Biodiversity Nexus |
Online lecture by Ryan Teuling: quantifying the trade-off between afforestation and hydropower potential, accounting for within- and between-basin atmospheric moisture transport |
Ryan |
|
11.00-11.20 |
Discussion |
Interactive discussion on the lecture by Ryan |
Ryan |
|
11.20-11.40 |
Lecture 3: Water & Energy Nexus |
Lecture by Michelle van Vliet |
|
|
11.40-12.00 |
Discussion |
Interactive discussion on the lecture by Michelle van Vliet |
|
|
12.00-12.30 |
Plenary/panel discussion |
Plenary/panel discussion on the overall Water, Food, Biodiversity & Energy Nexus in relation to the Water Cycle |
Henk & lecturers |
|
12.30-13.30 |
Lunch break | ||
Afternoon Programme (13.30-17.00):
|
Time |
Activity |
Description |
Lecturer |
|
13.30-13.45 |
Introduction Water Allocation Game |
Introduction to the Water Allocation Game by Chris |
Gerlo |
|
13.45-15.00 |
Game play |
Play the Water Allocation Game in teams to get hands on experience with the nexus relations |
Gerlo & Barteld |
|
15.00-15.30 |
Break | ||
|
15.30-16.30 |
Plenary presentation & discussion |
Team presentation of outcomes of their Water Puzzle and plenary discussion on these results |
Gerlo & Barteld |
|
16.30-16.55 |
Team Reflection (walking) |
Team reflection on how their research relates to any of these nexus relations
|
Barteld |
|
16.55-17.00 |
Plenary closure |
Summarising today’s learning outcomes & look-out to tomorrow's programme |
Barteld |
Wednesday, 21 April 2027
Learning Goal: Be able to compare and apply different solution-oriented approaches to water-related challenges, and critically analyse synergies, trade-offs, and potential unintended consequences.
Morning Programme (9.00-12.30):
|
Time |
Activity |
Description |
Lecturer |
|
9.00-9.15 |
Recap of reflections |
Discussion in pairs on their reflections of yesterday’s programme in one slide |
Barteld |
|
9.15-9.30 |
Programme introduction |
Introduction to today’s programme by Barteld |
Barteld |
|
9.30-9.50 |
Lecture 1: Water Footprint Approach |
Lecture by Angel de Miguel Garcia on the Water Footprint Approach |
Angel |
|
9.50-10.10 |
Discussion |
Interactive discussion on the lecture by Angel |
Angel |
|
10.10-10.40 |
Break | ||
|
10.40-11.00 |
Lecture 2: Nature Based Solutions Approach |
Lecture by Adriaan Mels on Nature-based Solutions & Ecosystem-based Adaptations |
Adriaan |
|
11.00-11.20 |
Discussion |
Interactive discussion on the lecture by Adriaan |
Adriaan |
|
11.20-11.40 |
Lecture 3: Planetary Boundaries Approach |
Lecture by Dieter Gerten : https://www.pik-potsdam.de/members/johanro
|
Dieter |
|
11.40-12.00 |
Discussion |
Interactive discussion on the lecture by Dieter |
Dieter |
|
12.00-12.30 |
Plenary/panel discussion |
Plenary/panel discussion on the presented approaches in relation to the Water Cycle |
Henk & lecturers |
|
12.30-13.30 |
Lunch break | ||
Afternoon Programme (13.30-17.00):
|
Time |
Activity |
Description |
Lecturer |
|
13.30-13.45 |
Introduction Workshop |
Introduction to the Workshop & the case study of Jordan |
Adriaan & Barteld |
|
13.45-15.00 |
Workshop |
Apply the different approaches to the case-study of Jordan in teams |
Adriaan & Barteld |
|
15.00-15.30 |
Break | ||
|
15.30-16.30 |
Plenary presentation & discussion |
Team presentation of how their approach could be applied to the case study of Jordan and plenary discussion on these results |
Adriaan & Barteld |
|
16.30-16.55 |
Team Reflection (walking) |
Team reflection on how their research relates to any of these approaches
|
Henk /Barteld |
|
16.55-17.00 |
Plenary closure |
Summarising today’s learning outcomes & look-out to tomorrow's programme |
Barteld |
Thursday, 22 April 2027
Learning Goal: Be able to evaluate the role of governance across scales in enabling or constraining solution-oriented approaches to water challenges and reflect on how your PhD research may inform decision-making, policy, practice, or societal debate.
Morning Programme (9.00-12.30):
|
Time |
Activity |
Description |
Lecturer |
|
9.00-9.15 |
Recap of reflections |
Discussion in pairs on their reflections of yesterday’s programme in one slide |
Barteld |
|
9.15-9.30 |
Programme introduction |
Introduction to today’s programme by Barteld |
Barteld |
|
9.30-10.00 |
Lecture 1: Hydrosocial Cycle |
Lecture by Margreet Zwarteveen |
Margreet |
|
10.00-10.40 |
Discussion |
Interactive discussion on the lecture by Margreet |
Margreet |
|
10.40-11.00 |
Break | ||
|
11.00-11.20 |
Lecture 2: Transboundary Governance |
Lecture by Edoardo Borgomeo |
Edoardo |
|
11.20-11.45 |
Discussion |
Interactive discussion on the lecture by Edoardo |
Edoardo |
|
11.45-12.05 |
Lecture 3: Global Governance |
Lecture by Susanne Schmeier |
Susanne |
|
12.05-12.30 |
Discussion |
Interactive discussion on the lecture by Susanne |
Susanne |
|
12.30-13.30 |
Lunch break | ||
Afternoon Programme (13.30-17.00):
|
Time |
Activity |
Description |
Lecturer |
|
13.30-13.45 |
Introduction Workshop |
Introduction to the Workshop & the case study of Jordan |
Alex & Barteld |
|
13.45-15.00 |
Workshop |
All teams develop a governance approach for at least the four levels to the case-study of Jordan |
Alex & Barteld |
|
15.00-15.30 |
Break | ||
|
15.30-16.30 |
Plenary presentation & discussion |
Team presentation of how their approach could be applied to the case study of Jordan and plenary discussion on these results |
Alex & Barteld |
|
16.30-16.55 |
Team Reflection (walking) |
Team reflection on how their research relates to any of these governance levels
|
Barteld |
|
16.55-17.00 |
Plenary closure |
Summarising today’s learning outcomes & look-out to tomorrow's programme |
Barteld |
Friday, 23 April 2027
Learning Goal: Be able to reflect on and articulate how your PhD research could contribute to pathways towards sustainable and resilient water cycle futures.
Morning Programme (9.00-12.30):
|
Time |
Activity |
Description |
Lecturer |
|
9.00-9.15 |
Recap of reflections |
Discussion in pairs on their reflections of yesterday’s programme in one slide |
Barteld |
|
9.15-9.30 |
Programme introduction |
Introduction to today’s programme by Henk, including GCEW’s missions |
Henk |
|
9.30-9.50 |
Lecture 1: Adaptation Pathways |
Lecture by Bregje van der Bolt |
Bregje |
|
9.50-10.10 |
Discussion |
Interactive discussion on the lecture by Bregje |
Bregje |
|
10.10-10.40 |
Break | ||
|
10.40-11.00 |
Lecture 2: Sponge Landscape |
Lecture by Joachim Declerck on the Sponge Landscape in Flanders |
Joachim |
|
11.00-11.20 |
Discussion |
Interactive discussion on the lecture by Joachim |
Joachim |
|
11.20-11.40 |
Lecture 3: Nature based landscape |
Lecture by Tim van Hattum |
Tim |
|
11.40-12.00 |
Discussion |
Interactive discussion on the lecture by Tim |
Tim |
|
12.00-12.30 |
Plenary/panel discussion |
Plenary/panel discussion on the presented Water Cycle Futures in relation to the Water Cycle |
Henk, Bregje, Joachim, Tim |
|
12.30-13.30 |
Lunch break | ||
Afternoon Programme (13.30-17.00):
|
Time |
Activity |
Description |
Lecturer |
|
13.30-13.45 |
Introduction Workshop |
Introduction to the individual workshop |
Henk |
|
13.45-15.00 |
Individual workshop |
JD2120 |
Henk |
|
15.00-15.30 |
Break | ||
|
15.30-16.55 |
Presentation to team & discussion |
Individual presentations to respective teams (7 mins) & team discussion (8 mins) |
Henk |
|
16.55-17.00 |
Plenary closure |
|
Barteld |
|
17.00-18.00 |
Closing drinks | ||