The School of Water Governance
NEWAVE E-lecture Series
The NEWAVE e-Lecture Series on Water Governance Theoretical Perspectives is now available as an online program on The School of Water Governance (SWaG) platform. Originally hosted as a highly successful training event by the NEWAVE Innovative Training Network, this series offers participants a comprehensive introduction to the key theoretical frameworks and debates shaping water governance today. Designed to engage early-stage researchers (ESRs), students, water practitioners, and the wider public, the program presents thought-provoking discussions that challenge traditional perspectives on water management, politics, and governance.
Spanning 16 expert-led lectures, the program covers essential themes such as socio-hydrological interactions, political dynamics in water governance, and the integration of scientific knowledge into policy decisions. The lectures are accessible to anyone interested in water governance and offer the opportunity to deepen understanding, regardless of prior knowledge.
Course 1: Fundamentals of Water Governance
This course offers an in-depth exploration of the principles and structures that shape water governance. It aims to provide participants with a solid understanding of how water systems are managed, the challenges involved, and the frameworks that guide decision-making. By engaging with key topics, learners will develop a nuanced perspective on the complexities of water governance and its role in addressing societal and environmental needs.
Water governance and politics – Prof. Jampel Dell’Angelo
Participatory and multi-level water governance – Prof. Jens Newig
Water and the City: a history of urban metabolism – Prof.Maria Kaika
Course 2: Water, Knowledge and Participation
This course examines the connections between water governance, knowledge frameworks, and participatory methods, offering a detailed look at how diverse forms of understanding and collaboration influence decision-making around water resources. Participants will explore how integrating multiple perspectives and disciplines enhances the ability to address water-related challenges effectively and inclusively.
Ways of Knowing Water – Prof. Margreet Zwarteveen
Adaptive water governance – Prof. Dave Huitema
Adaptive water governance and learning – Prof. Andrea Gerlak
Knowledge co-production and the science-policy interface in water governance – Dr. Julia Martinéz and Dr. Violeta Cabello
The interdisciplinary study of water governance: a cultural political economy perspective – Prof. Peter Mollinga
Course 3: Water and Politics
This course explores the complex interplay between water resources and political power, unraveling how governance, economies, and social systems influence and are shaped by water management decisions. Through a critical lens, participants will engage with theories and frameworks that uncover the underlying dynamics driving water politics in different contexts.
Power and hydro-politics – Prof. Jeroen Warner
Critical theory, political ecology, and the study of water politics – Prof. Jan Selby
The political economy and political ecology of hydro-social dynamics – Prof. Erick Swyngedouw
A political ecology of river basin development – Prof. François Molle
Course 4: Water Law and Diplomacy
This course provides a comprehensive exploration of the legal and diplomatic dimensions of water governance, focusing on the intersections of rights, policies, and conflict resolution. It offers a deep understanding of the frameworks and strategies that address challenges in managing water resources across diverse cultural and political contexts.