Strategic meeting peak preview: the members of the organising team – meet Gerard
Watershare will hold its Strategic Meeting on June 29th and 30th. We would like to introduce you to the organising team. You have met Lydia Vamvakeridou-Lyroudia as the Director of Watershare in a previous interview. Last week we give the platform to Lisa Andrews, a Scientific Researcher at KWR and Engagement manager Watershare. And today we introduce Gerard van den Berg, Project manager International Research Programme at KWR and Project manager Watershare.
What is your role at KWR? What is your expertise?
I have a background in Earth Sciences and a PhD in Geochemistry. Within KWR, I coordinate and manage international activities. These include next to Watershare, collaborative research and innovation projects as well as networking. As a team leader, I am responsible for a team of qualified experts that manage our national and international research programmes and perform research in the field of knowledge valorisation, circular economy and the Water Energy Food nexus.
What do you bring to Watershare?
I have been active in Watershare for a few years and consider myself as a practical person that connects members and develops cooperative initiatives. Within KWR, I relate Watershare to our international activities and the strategic goals of the institute.
What are you proud of ?
We managed to connect organisations with different backgrounds and goals. I strongly believe that sharing the expertise and experience of utilities and knowledge institutes adds value to the application of research outcomes in practice. It is exciting to explore opportunities to connect organisations from different parts of the world and look for the added value.
Which opportunities do you see for Watershare?
Watershare will grow into a valuable platform where people and organisations can share their knowledge and experiences. In the current COVID time, I see an enormous willingness to learn from the experiences of others and to adopt approaches and solutions. The goal for Watershare is to remain active, be the platform for sharing knowledge and practical lessons and support collaboration, amongst the members, but also with local networks of partners.