Prof Dr Nick van de Giesen

His main interests are measuring and modelling of complex water resources systems and the development of science-based decision support systems. Development of new observation techniques, both in situ and through satellites, as well as High-Performance Computing, are the core themes of both research portfolio and teaching curriculum. Since 1 January 2015, he is chairman of the Delft Global Initiative.

Before coming to Delft University, he worked from 1998 to 2004, at the Center for Development Research of Bonn University, with as main activity the scientific coordination of the GLOWA Volta Project. From 1994 to 1998, he did Post-Doctoral research on the hydrology and management of inland valleys at WARDA, Cote d’Ivoire. He received his PhD from Cornell University for his work on wetland development in Rwanda. At Wageningen University, he did his M.Sc. in irrigation engineering.

Nick van de Giesen received his BSc and MSc in Land and Water Management from Wageningen Agricultural University, The Netherlands, in 1984 and 1987. After a postdoctoral position with the West Africa Rice Development Association, Côte d’Ivoire, he was a Senior Researcher for six years with the Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn, Germany, where he was Scientific Coordinator of the Global Change in the Hydrological Cycle Volta Project. Since 2004, he has been with Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands, where he holds the “Van Kuffeler” Chair of Water Resources Management. Since April 2009, he has served as chairman of the Delft Research Initiative Environment. In 2011 he was science representative in “Topteam Water”, which advised the Dutch government on innovation in the water sector.