Mariele Evers

Prof. Dr. Mariele Evers is a Professor of Geography specializing in Ecohydrology and Water Resources Management at the University of Bonn, where she also holds the UNESCO Chair in Human Water Systems since 2021. She previously served as Managing Director of the Geographical Institute of the University of Bonn (2021-2023) and as Vice Dean for Teaching and Studies at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (2016-2018).

Her educational background includes studies in Geography at the Universities of Münster, Bonn, and Montpellier (France), culminating in a PhD from the University of Hannover in 2008 on 'Decision Support Systems for Integrated River Basin Management' under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Christina von Haaren and Prof. Dr. Michael Abbott/TU Delft.

Prof. Evers' research focuses on the complex interactions between humans and water systems, with particular emphasis on ecohydrology, flood risk management, climate change impacts on water resources, and transdisciplinary approaches to water governance. Her work spans multiple continents including Europe, Africa, and Asia, with significant projects in Ghana, Benin, Togo, Myanmar, and Tanzania. She employs participatory methods, collaborative modeling, and multi-criteria decision analysis to address water-related challenges, particularly in data-scarce environments. Her approach consistently integrates social and hydrological dimensions to develop practical solutions for sustainable water management.

Analysis of her recent publications (2022-2025) reveals a strong focus on transboundary water management in West Africa, human-water system interactions, flood risk assessment methodologies, and climate change adaptation strategies. Her work consistently integrates social and hydrological dimensions, emphasizing participatory approaches and stakeholder engagement in water management decision-making processes. The research demonstrates methodological innovation through the development of pluralistic water research concepts that acknowledge multiple perspectives in human-water systems.

• Professor of the Year Award 2018 (3rd place in Natural Sciences/Medicine category)
• Teaching Award for outstanding professorial teaching at the University of Bonn 2015
• Teaching Award of Leuphana University Lüneburg 2010

Prof. Evers leads an active research group with numerous ongoing projects including Co-HYDIM-SA (Co-Design of a hydrometeorological information system for sustainable water resources management in southern Africa), MisKaRe (Miscanthus in cascade use for flood risk reduction), and ecosystem services assessment of the Emscher floodplains. She has successfully secured funding from multiple sources including BMBF, DAAD, and ERDF. Her team collaborates extensively with international partners through the Bonn Water Network and UNESCO frameworks. She also serves as International Advisor to the National Water Resource Council of Myanmar and advises various German federal ministries on water-related issues.

She leads the Ecohydrology and Water Resources Management Working Group at the University of Bonn, which is part of the Bonn Water Network. Her team conducts research on complex human-water interactions, natural hazards and risks, and water in global change contexts. The working group is actively involved in the UNESCO Chair for Human-Water Systems, which aims to advance research and education on the complex interactions between human societies and water systems worldwide.