Several workshops and special sessions will be organized during the congress week.
For more information, please contact Marijke Huysmans (marijke.huysmans@vub.be).
- Socio-Hydrogeology – How can hydrogeology be inspired from other disciplines/outside science?
Session chairs: Theresa Frommen (Humboldt-Universitaet zu Berlin, Germany), Viviana Re (University of Pisa, Italy), Shrikant Limaye (India)
This session is a special session chaired by the recently founded IAH Socio-Hydrogeology Network (IAH-SHG). The goal of this network is to promote the integration of social sciences into hydrogeology and to include local perspectives into hydrogeological assessment by developing concepts how inter- and transdisciplinary cooperation and research can be carried out. Furthermore, IAH-SHG aims to highlight the importance of science communication and to serve as a platform for hydrogeologists who already work at the interface between society and groundwater.
We invite contributions that show examples of how hydrogeological work and research can be inspired by methods, theories and analytical tools from other disciplines (e.g. social sciences, anthropology, economics) as well as from outside the academic world. Case studies on inter- and transdisciplinary approaches are welcome, as well as theoretical perspectives on the integration of the social sciences into groundwater research. We also encourage contributions that deal with failures or challenges of inter- and transdisciplinary projects. As mentioned in the congress theme: “Let our failures inspire us to constantly improve our techniques”!
- Groundwater and the Sustainable Development Goals – co-organized by the IAH Burdon Groundwater network for International Development (BGID)
Session Chairs: Jade Ward (UK), John Lindle (Denmark), Albert Acheampong (Ghana)
Groundwater plays a key role in the achievement of the Sustainable Developments goals. Not only is the development of groundwater fundamental to achieving SDG6 – universal access to safe water, but also to many of the others – for example zero poverty, zero hunger and gender equality. We invite submissions from any part of the world which discuss the role that groundwater plays in achieving the SDGs. New insights into groundwater development or management in low income countries are particularly welcomed.
- Everything you always wanted to know about EuroGeoSurveys building a groundwater information platform*
(*but were afraid to ask)
Easy access to digital and FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and reusable) data on groundwater quantity and quality is imperative for informed decision making and efficient climate change mitigation and adaptation to which sustainable groundwater management will contribute. The GEOERA HOVER project aims to develop and share new cross-thematic information services on groundwater quality and vulnerability. 32 national and regional Geological Survey Organisations from 29 European countries have joined forces within the GeoERA Programme to improve and facilitate access to subsurface data and knowledge. Some of the product developed during HOVER project will be presented with the objective to highlight the scientific challenges and discuss needs in the future and the way to go ahead with a larger scientific community and looking for opportunities offered under the Horizon Europe.
- Groundwater drought in Flanders and the Netherlands: impact, policy and solutions
In large parts of Europe, 2018 is known as an extremely dry year which had a huge impact on the groundwater systems of the Netherlands and Flanders and caused billions of euros of damage to different sectors like agriculture, buildings, infrastructure and unrecoverable damage to nature. While the groundwater system was recovering from this extreme drought, two consecutive extreme dry years (2019-2020) followed and enhanced the impact on the water systems.
Marijke Huysmans from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and KU Leuven and Perry de Louw from research institute Deltares organize a special Groundwater Drought session during the 48th IAH Congress in Brussels. The following topics will be presented by a speaker from the Netherlands and a speaker from Flanders and the similarities and differences will be discussed:
• Impact of drought 2018-2019-2020
• Drought monitoring and modeling
• Drought management and policy
• Solutions towards a climate-robust (drought-resistant) water system
This special Groundwater Drought session will be open and free to access for all interested parties. We especially encourage water managers and policy makers to attend this special session.
The session will take place on Tuesday 7 September from 14.30-17.45 at the congress venue. After the session, drinks and snacks will be provided.
The session is open to all participants of the 48th IAH Congress. Registration for the full conference including all regular and special sessions, poster sessions, excursions and social activities can be done here.
For non-congress participants, please register here for this special session only. Participation is free of charge.
“Foto: Flip Witte”
“Foto: Flip Witte”
“Foto: Flip Witte”