Micha Werner

Micha Werner is an academic and Senior Hydrologist specializing in drought risk management, climate variability analysis, and operational hydrological forecasting. He lectures at IHE Delft Institute for Water Education and collaborates with universities like Delft University, Twente University, and international institutions such as UNESCO-IHP and WMO. His work focuses on integrating local knowledge with scientific data to enhance drought early warning systems and climate services. He has supervised over 50 MSc and 8 PhD students, emphasizing practical fieldwork and stakeholder engagement.

Werner holds the Netherlands University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) and contributes to scientific communities including the European Geophysical Union (EGU), HEPEX, and IAHS. He serves as an editor for Hydrology and Earth Systems Sciences Journal and advises the Netherlands Government on freshwater and drought policies. His career includes 27 years at Deltares, where he co-developed the Delft-FEWS forecasting system used globally. He has worked across continents, addressing water management challenges in South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia.

His research emphasizes the socio-natural dynamics of drought, freshwater ecosystems, and bridging science-policy gaps. Key areas include improving forecast usability, enhancing stakeholder collaboration, and developing drought management frameworks that consider ecological and social dimensions. His publications highlight innovations in hydrological modeling, climate service co-creation, and operational system implementation.

Werner’s contributions span from theoretical advancements in hydrological science to applied projects like the DEWFORA drought forecasting project and the I-CISK climate services initiative. His work bridges technical expertise with policy relevance, aiming to create sustainable water management solutions that integrate diverse knowledge systems.