IWA Fellows and Distinguished Fellows

IWA Fellows and IWA Distinguished Fellows are members of a unique community comprising global water professionals with international recognition, all known for their guidance and leadership in the world of science, technology and management in the evolving water sector.

IWA Fellows are recognised professionals who have made outstanding contributions to the national and regional water sector, as well as to IWA. This peer recognition is done through rigorous review of the past contributions to the sector and IWA, and for the nominee’s commitment to continued significant professional contributions in the future, by actively participating in IWA activities at international, regional and national levels. These can easily be identified in a Fellows Activity Plan as being beyond the regular level of activity for members. The IWA fellows recognition is for 5 years, after which the fellowship can be renewed.

IWA Distinguished Fellow designation is an honorific recognition limited in number, and is for IWA Fellows who have been recognised for their long-term (at least 10 years) extraordinary contributions to the global water sector and leadership role performed in supporting IWA’s mission and objectives. The IWA Distinguished Fellows are recognised primarily for their long-term past achievements and the recognition is based on peer recognition in the water sector.

Contact person
Erin Jordan
Erin Jordan
Strategic Programmes Officer - Strategic Programmes & Engagement erin.jordan [a] iwahq.org

Role of an IWA Fellow

The initial appointment of an IWA Fellow is for 5 years. During this time, a Fellow will support IWA’s mission and leadership in the implementation of the organisation’s Strategic Plan by:

  • Representing IWA expertise at relevant opportunities and presenting themselves as an IWA Fellow
  • Promoting IWA; supporting the network’s growth, increasing the engagement of its members, supporting the delivery of quality events, and disseminating its thought leadership.
  • Fulfilling the expectations outlined in their Fellows Activity Plan and report to IWA the progress on its implementation
  • Participating (remotely or in person) in scheduled IWA Fellows meetings.
  • Adhering to the highest ethical standards of professional work.
  • Adhering to the Membership code of conduct

Role of IWA Distinguished Fellow

The appointment of a Distinguished Fellow is for life. During this time, a Distinguished Fellow will support IWA’s mission and leadership in the implementation of the organisation’s strategic plan.

A Distinguished Fellow would be expected to participate in the following activities as appropriate:

  • Acknowledgement and recognition of IWA at international level to advance the aims and reputation of IWA and the professional standing of its members and corporate partners.
  • Represent IWA at relevant opportunities and present themselves as an IWA Distinguished Fellow.
  • Promotion of IWA; supporting the network’s growth, increasing the engagement of its members (through leading its communities / specialist groups), supporting the delivery of quality events, and leading content development and disseminating its thought leadership.
  • Providing leadership in enhancing the linkage between IWA and local professional water science and management activities and introducing more local experiences to the international communities.
  • Make key contributions, such as take on a mentor role or offer expertise / knowledge at IWA Young Water Professionals conferences, editorials in IWA media, development of opinion or position papers, and chair sessions at conferences

For IWA Fellows and IWA Distinguished Fellows, keep up to date with these communities on IWA Connect Plus, the global platform of water professionals!

IWA FELLOWS

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

All nominees must follow all the criteria below.

1. Nominees who are recognised for their outstanding contribution to national or
Regional (could be global) sector:

  • Seniority (e.g., years of employment in public service or private business)
  • Duties, roles and activities in public service, education, research, or private
    business
  • National leadership positions (e.g., boards, governing assemblies,
    strategic councils, technical committees, etc.);
  • Organisation of national professional meetings (conferences / seminars /
    workshops etc.);
  • National/ regional scientific publications or National / regional awards, etc.

2. Nominees who are recognised for their active contribution (and future commitment)
to IWA beyond regular level of activity for members:

  • A Minimum of five (5) consecutive years of IWA membership, including the
    evaluation or more, including the year of evaluation;
  • The nominee must have made outstanding contributions to IWA (more than two (2)
    leadership roles within IWA – e.g., within Specialist Group MC);
  • Organised IWA workshop/ professional meetings (conferences/ SG workshop/
    seminar)
  • Organisation of national professional meetings (conferences / seminars /
    workshops etc.);
  • The nominee demonstrates his/her continued plans to contribute to the water
    sector through IWA membership (through IWA Fellow Activity Plan)
  • The Nominee confirms their willingness to serve as an IWA Fellow and take on the
    associated roles and responsibilities

WHO CAN NOMINATE

  • An IWA Member without any affiliation with the individual, or the organisation/company of the nominee
  • Self-nominations are not allowed
  • The IWA Fellowship Steering Committee or sub-committee (who supports review of IWA Fellows and DFs) cannot nominate a candidate

HOW TO APPLY

Submission documents/forms

The Nominator will need to prepare:

  • The IWA Fellows Nomination Form
  • A Nomination letter
  • A minimum of three supporting letters from IWA Members – supporters shall not be affiliated with the nominee’s institution, and each should address a minimum of three (3) of the eligibility criteria.

The Nominee will need to prepare and send the nominator the following information and documents:

IWA DISTINGUISHED FELLOWS

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

All nominees must follow all the criteria below.

1. Nominees who are recognised for their long-term outstanding contributions to the IWA would normally have:

  • A minimum of ten (10) years of IWA membership
  • Assumed senior leadership roles within IWA (e.g. Board of Directors, Strategic Council, Specialist Group Management Committee, Young Water Professionals Steering Committee, etc.); 
  • Organised IWA professional meetings (conferences / seminars / workshops, etc.);
  • A significant scientific publication record (in particular in IWA Publishing publications); 
  • Received global awards, including those from IWA  

2. The Nominee must have made outstanding contributions to the global water sector through:

  • Seniority (e.g., years of employment in public service or private business) and international recognitions
  • Duties, roles and activities in public service, education, research, or private business
  • Global leadership positions (e.g., boards, governing assemblies, strategic councils, technical committees, etc.);
  •  Organisation of global professional meetings (conferences / seminars / workshops etc.); 
  • Global scientific publications; 
  • Global awards, etc.

3. The Nominee is an IWA Fellow or belongs to a restricted number of exceptionally qualified other professionals who have made outstanding contributions to the water sector.

4. To support IWA’s aspirations to have more diverse membership at all levels, a process will be initiated by the IWA Secretariat (in partnership with the IWA Fellowship Steering Committee), to proactively search for potential Distinguished Fellow candidates from under-represented groups. 

WHO CAN NOMINATE

  • IWA Fellows, Distinguished Fellows and IWA Secretariat (through the Executive Director or assigned representative) 
  • Those who serve on the IWA Fellowship Steering Committee may not act as Nominees, Nominators or supporters 
  • Self nominations are not allowed.

HOW TO APPLY

Submission documents/forms 

The Nominator will need to prepare the documents/form and submit them below: 

  • The IWA Distinguished Fellows Nomination Form 
  • A nomination letter – highlighting the motivation behind nominating the nominee for the IWA fellowship. This Nomination letter should build arguments for each of the eligibility criteria.
  • A minimum of three supporting letters from IWA Members – supporters shall not be affiliated with the nominee’s institution, and each should address a minimum of three (3) of the eligibility criteria.

TIMELINE 2024

  • Call for Nominations – Open from 27 February to 31 March 2024
  • Check of basic requirements by IWA Secretariat – 2 April to 5 April 2024
  • Review of Nominations and Recommendation by Steering Committee – 8 April to 10 May 2024
  • Review of Nominations and Recommendation by the Board – June 2024
  • Notification of Selected Fellows – June/July 2024
  • The latest IWA Fellows and Distinguished Fellows will be recognised at a special ceremony at the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition in Toronto, Canada in August 2024.

Latest Updates

Other Steering Committee Members:

Paul Brown Fellow United States
Marion Savill Fellow New Zealand
Jennifer Mckay Fellow Australia
Bruno Nguyen Fellow France
Satoshi Takizawa Fellow Japan
Dinesh Mehta Fellow India
Randolf Waters Fellow Switzerland
Helena Alegre Distinguished Fellow Portugal
Mark Van Loosdrecht Distinguished Fellow The Netherlands
Rao Surampalli Distinguished Fellow United States

IWA Distinguished Fellows

Helena Alegre
Helena Alegre
LNEC, Portugal, IWA Chair and Distinguished Fellow
Andreas Angelakis
Andreas Angelakis
Specialist Group representative - NAGREF, Institute of Crete, Hellenic Water Supply and Sewerage Association, Greece; IWA Steering Committee Member; IWA Specialist Group Chair
Takashi Asano
Takashi Asano
Distinguished Fellow Emeritus, University of California, USA; IWA Journal Editor
Jaime Baptista
Jaime Baptista
Distinguished Fellow, LNEC (National Laboratory of Civil Engineering), Portugal
Akica Bahri
Akica Bahri
Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries of Tunisia
James Barnard
James Barnard
Black and Veatch Ltd, USA
Roger M Ben Aim
Roger M Ben Aim
IFTS, France; IWA Steering Committee Member
Andrew Benedek
Andrew Benedek
Vituki - Innosystem Ltd, Canada
Harro Bode
Harro Bode
Former Chairman of Ruhrverband, Germany; IWA Governing Member; IWA Journal Editor
Guang-Hao Chen
Guang-Hao Chen
Individual Researchers Representative - Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, China; IWA Journal Editor
Glen Daigger
Glen Daigger
Professor of Engineering Practice, University of Michigan, IWA Board Member, IWA Past President
Darryl Day
Darryl Day
Managing Director for ICE WaRM
Hiroaki Furumai
Hiroaki Furumai
Professor University of Tokyo
David Garman
David Garman
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, USA, Co-Chair (Distinguished Fellow); IWA Past President
Jerome B Gilbert
Jerome B Gilbert
J. Gilbert, Inc, USA; IWA Journal Editor
Charles N. Haas
Charles N. Haas
Head of the Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering at Drexel University
Xia Huang
Xia Huang
Distinguished Fellow and Professor at Tsinghua University, China
Blanca Jimenez
Blanca Jimenez
Mexico's Ambassador to France
Hamanth Kasan
Hamanth Kasan
IWA President Elect, Distinguished Fellow
Jurg Keller
Jurg Keller
Chief Research Officer of the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities
Helmut Kroiss
Helmut Kroiss
Professor Emeritus Vienna University of Technology, IWA Board Member, IWA Immediate Past President, Chair Nominations Committee
Juan Lema
Juan Lema
Distinguished Fellow, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Piet Lens
Piet Lens
Wageningen UR, The Netherlands
Shang-Lien Lo
Shang-Lien Lo
National Taiwan University, Chinese Taiwan; IWA Governing Member; IWA Journal Editor
Joel Mallevialle
Joel Mallevialle
Figeac Aero USA, INC, France
Duncan Mara
Duncan Mara
University of Leeds, UK; IWA Journal Editor
Saburo Matsui
Saburo Matsui
Kyoto University (Professor Emeritus), Japan
Hallvard Ødegaard
Hallvard Ødegaard
SET AS and NTNU (Professor Emeritus), Norway; IWA Journal Editor
Gustaf Olsson
Gustaf Olsson
Lund University, Sweden; IWA Journal Editor
Jiuhui Qu
Jiuhui Qu
Chinese Academy of Sciences, China; IWA Journal Editor
Paul Reiter
Paul Reiter
ReiterIWS Ltd., Singapore; IWA Past Executive Director
Joan Rose
Joan Rose
Michigan State University, USA; IWA Board Member; IWA Journal Editor, IWA Board Member
Michael Rouse
Michael Rouse
Independent International Advisor at Michael J Rouse, UK; IWA Past President
Hansruedi Siegrist
Hansruedi Siegrist
Eawag, Switzerland
Rao Surampalli
Rao Surampalli
Distinguished Fellow, Global Institute for Energy, Environment and Sustainability, United States
Robert Skinner
Robert Skinner
Professorial Fellow and Director of Monash University's Water For Livability Centre
Sven-Erik Skogsfors
Sven-Erik Skogsfors
Forest Stream, Sweden
Michael Stenstrom
Michael Stenstrom
Distinguished Professor at University of California; Civil and Environmental Engineering Department
Rhodes Trussell
Rhodes Trussell
Trussell Technologies Inc., USA
Mark van Loosdrecht
Mark van Loosdrecht
Chair professor in Environmental Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology
Willy Verstraete
Willy Verstraete
Professor Ugent, Ghent University; IWA Steering Committee; IWA Cluster Representative
Saravanamuthu Vigneswaran
Saravanamuthu Vigneswaran
Distinguished Professor at University of Technology, Sydney
Eveline Volcke
Eveline Volcke
Ghent University, Belgium, IWA Distinguished Fellow and Chair
Aijie Wang
Aijie Wang
Distinguished Fellow, Harbin Institute of Technology, China
Xiaochang Wang
Xiaochang Wang
Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, China; IWA Journal Editor and IWA Board Member
Jiri Wanner
Jiri Wanner
Professor, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Czech Republic; IWA Governing Member
Yoshimasa Watanabe
Yoshimasa Watanabe
Research and Development initiative, Chuo University and Hokkaido University (Professor Emeritus), Japan; IWA Journal Editor
Peter Wilderer
Peter Wilderer
Distinguished Fellow Emeritus, TU München, Germany
Min Yang
Min Yang
Distinguished Fellow, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Zhiguo Yuan
Zhiguo Yuan
University of Queensland, Specialist Group Representative, Australia