TUM Exploratory-Workshop on "An Integrated Approach to Water Research and Technology Development"
Organized by the TUM Graduate School of Science and Engineering (IGSEE) and the TUM Institute for Advanced Study (IAS).
Date: May 3 and 4, 2012
Venue: Research campus of TUM at Garching, IGSSE building, Boltzmannstr. 17, ground floor and IAS building, Lichtenbergstr. 2a, Faculty Club, 4th floor
Language: English
Participation in this conference is on personal invitation only.
Program
Statement of Motivation
Water Science and Water Technology cover a wide area of disciplines ranging from the examination of the fundamental properties of water and its dissolved and particulate constituents to the development, optimization and operation of hydro-power, water and wastewater treatment plants. During the past centuries, major efforts have been made to learn about physical, chemical and microbiological processes that take place in aquatic systems, and use the acquired knowledge to solve specific problems from the micro-scale to the macro-scale. Such specialized investigations will continue to be of importance. The impacts caused by climate change, the excessive growth of human population, urbanization and lifestyle changes, however, make it indispensable to supplement this approach with an overarching integration of scientific disciplines, including those which in the past were not directly engaged in the water sector. Such a cross-cutting approach is necessary to safeguard human civilization and protect structure and function of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems alike.
It is anticipated that cross-disciplinary integration will lead to urgently needed technological innovation as well as to innovative water management practices and measures which facilitate decision-making at the level of local and national water authorities und supra-national governmental institutions.
Purpose of the Workshop
The workshop is aimed to identify future challenges of water research at large, water technology development and water management tools. It is assumed that innovative concepts and methods are likely to develop at the interface between disciplines. Thus, top-level scientists and early career scholars representing various domains of water science and technology will be brought together with the intention to stimulate insight, to provoke novel ideas, to exchange information about innovative methodology and to build-up strong interdisciplinary and international cooperation. The summary of the workshop is intended to get published in an internationally well recognized journal such as Water Research.
Participants
- Distinguished lecturers from partner universities.
- Lecturers representing the various laboratories of TUM dealing with water related issues.
- Invited senior scholars and selected PhD students of TUM.
- Invited guests from Bavarian research institutions, water authorities and industry.
Poster presentations of all participants are welcome.
To facilitate in-depth discussion the total number of participants is limited to 40.
Organization and Programme Committee
Prof. Dr. Ernst Rank, Director of IGSSE
Prof. Dr. Patrick Dewilde, Director of IAS
Prof. Dr. Jürgen Geist, Aquatic Systems Biology
Prof. Dr. Ingrid Kögel-Knabner, Soil Science
Prof. Dr. Annette Menzel, Ecoclimatology
Prof. Dr. Reinhard Niessner, Hydrochemistry
Prof. Dr. Peter Rutschmann, Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering
Prof. Dr. Peter Wilderer, Water Quality Control and Management
