Doctoral Thesis

Working Title:
Transdisciplinary Integration of Knowledge for Sustainable Transformations in Regional Water Management: A Nexus Perspective

Supervisors:
Prof. Dr. Jochen Schanze, IOER and Dresden University of Technology; Jun-Prof. Dr. Sussan Wagenknecht, Dresden University of Technology; Prof. Dr. Daniel Karthe, UNU-FLORES

TUD Faculty:
Faculty of Environmental Sciences

IOER Research area: 
TBD

Abstract:
Ensuring water security, a critical component of sustainable development, is increasingly challenged by the complexity and interconnectedness of socio-ecological systems, particularly in the face of climate change, population growth, and competing land and water uses. Projections indicate that by 2050, approximately 70% of river basins worldwide will face significant water-related problems, and 4 billion people will reside in cities with seasonal water shortages. Achieving sustainability in water management is further complicated by fragmentation across sectors, disciplines, and limited integrated knowledge among diverse stakeholders. Most often, decisions on environmental resources are taken without the essential synchronization of several fields, and irrespective of how a decision in one sector may lead to a trade-off with other resources. Moreover, existing water management approaches are often criticized for being overly dominated by technocratic and sectoral perspectives, which often exclude the perspectives and knowledge of local communities, practitioners, and other relevant stakeholders. To navigate these complexities and develop a transformative solution, there is a need for a transdisciplinary approach that brings together scientific, policy, and societal knowledge. Many studies highlight the need for transdisciplinary, and it is acknowledged in nexus research. However, the effective application and integration of knowledge across multiple disciplines and stakeholder groups in water management remains challenging. Thus, this research aims to develop an approach that addresses the challenge of knowledge fragmentation in water management by critically examining existing approaches, prevailing knowledge gaps, stakeholder networks, communication mechanisms, and best practices for transdisciplinary knowledge integration, with particular attention to improving communication and knowledge flows across sectoral and stakeholder boundaries in the Resource Nexus lens. The findings will support decision-makers, practitioners, researchers, and communities in co-producing and exchanging actionable knowledge for integrated and holistic planning across sectors, responding to both local realities and broader sustainability challenges.

CV

Education:

Since 04/2025
Doctoral Candidate at the Dresden Leibniz Graduate School (DLGS); the United Nations University-Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES); and Dresden University of Technology (TUD)

01/2023 – 07/2023
CIPSEM- Dresden University of Technology (TUD), Dresden, Germany
Academic Degree: Postgraduate Diploma in Environment Management

10/2015 – 09/2017
Pan African University of Water and Energy Science (PAUWES), Telmcen, Algeria
Academic Degree: Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Water Engineering

10/2008 - 07/2011
Madda Walabu University, Bale Robe, Ethiopia
Academic Degree: Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management (B.Sc)

Professional Experience:

03/2022– 03/2025
Hawassa University
Lecturer, Researcher, and Head of Natural Resource Management Department

03/2024– 05/2024
Eastern Nile Technical Regional Office (ENTRO)
Intern- Water Resources Assessment and Situation Analysis in Eastern Nile Basin.

08/2022 – 08/2024
Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) in collaboration with Hawassa University, WGCFNR
Consultant (Hydrological baseline survey and Monitoring)

10/2017 – 03/2022
Hawassa University
Lecturer and Researcher

09/2011 – 09/2015
Hawassa University
Graduate Assistance