Opening Event October 2026 for the new AU Interdisciplinary Water Cluster (AU-WaTeC)

Organizer: AU WaTeC

Date: Friday 2 October 2026
Venue: Ole Worms alle 3, Building 1170 in the auditorium 347 (third floor)

Registration: You can register for the meeting here: https://event.au.dk/events/opening-the-au-interdisciplinary-water-cluster

We are happy to announce the first plenary meeting of the Water Cluster at Aarhus University. AU – WaTeC embraces trans-/interdisciplinary water research, education, and innovation within the Faculties of Arts, Natural Sciences, Health and Technical Sciences.

Our first meeting will be a journey around AU to shine a light on the different water interests and activities living at AU – through general presentations, matchmaking and networking activities. In addition, external speakers will provide inspiration and showcase the wider water universe. Funding opportunities for future cross-disciplinary activities will also be presented. The meeting is followed by a dinner in Fysisk Kantine at 7th floor in building 1520 with a view over the Aarhus waterscape.

Join us if you are interested in helping to shape the Water Conversation at AU!

The invitation is for all PhD students, Post docs, Assistant, Associate, Full professors, who are interested and active in water-related research at AU.

We will have a limited number of seats for the auditorium and for dinner. Note that unless otherwise informed, a 100 DKK no show fee will apply to offset costs. We need your latest confirmation before 17 September, but you are encouraged to register before this date. You can contact Uffe Sognstrup Thomsen if you have questions via email ust@bce.au.dk or telephone 93 52 22 62.

Tentative program:

12.00 Arrival, and then

• Welcome by prof. Barth F. Smets
• Keynote speaker 1
• Scientific presentations on the topics Water, Health and Prosperity
• Break - Matchmaking 1
• Keynote speaker 2
• Scientific presentation(s) on the topics Water Resources: Excess and Absence
• Scientific presentation(s) on the topics Water, Nature and Food
• Break - Matchmaking 2
• Keynote speaker 3
• Scientific presentation(s) on the topics Water in the Technosphere
• EIT Water – a large EU investment

18.00 Dinner at Fysisk kantine

20.00 Water in the Arts – Spoken Word/Audio-Visual Work

We will end at approximately 21.00

Yours sincerely,
AU-WaTeC leadership team Barth F. Smets, Uffe Sognstrup Thomsen, Anders Vest Christiansen, Ciara Kierans, Klaus Koren, Nikolai Friberg, Pedro Carvalho, Anette S. Hansen and Jörg Schullehner.