IWA Fellows
IWA Fellows and IWA Distinguished Fellows are members of a unique community comprising global water professionals with international recognition; known for their guidance and leadership in the world of water science, technology and management in the water sector as it continues to evolve.
The aim of this Fellowship is to recognise the impact of particular individuals on the water profession and sector, and to provide leadership and mentorship to a trans-disciplinary community empowered to combine together various leading-edge scientific breakthroughs, technological developments and creative mind sets from the various IWA groups.
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 of the past achievements in the water sector.
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, 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 – these would include (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 2
leadership roles within IWA – Specialist group); - 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 DF) 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 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 10 years of IWA membership
- Assumed senior leadership roles within IWA (e.g. Board of Directors, Strategic Council, Specialist Group Management Committee, Emerging Water Leader Steering Committee, etc.);
- Organized 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 – these would include (boards, governing assemblies, strategic councils, technical committees, etc.);
- Organization 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 3 of the eligibility criteria.
SUB-COMMITTEES CALL
Call for the Sub-committees for Fellows, and Distinguished Fellows are open from 1st March to 20th April 2022.
To ensure rigorousness of review, the Fellowship Steering Committee invites two groups: one of max 14 Fellows and one of max 8 Distinguished Fellows to nominate themselves for a sub-committee to review the nominations.
To submit your application for the Sub-committees, fill out this form and send it to isabela.espindola@iwahq.org
TIMELINE 2022
- Call for Nominations – Open from 1st March to 15th April 2022
- Call for the Sub-committees for Fellows and DF – Open from 1st March to 20th April 2022
- Notification of selected Sub-committees members – 20th April to 30th April 2022
- Review of Nominations and Recommendation by Sub-committees – 1st May to 31st May 2022
- Review of Nominations and Recommendation by the Board – June 2022
- Notification of Selected Fellows – July/August 2022
- IWA fellows will be recognised at a special ceremony at the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition in Copenhagen, Denmark in September 2022.
Latest Updates
Full List Of IWA Fellows
IWA Fellow Steering Committee
Other Steering Committee Members:
Jules van Lier | Professor, Delft University of Technology | Netherlands |
Xiaochang Wang | Professor, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology | China |
Katerina Schilling | Communication and Program Manager, IAWD | Austria |
IWA Distinguished Fellows

Andrew Benedek

David Jenkins

Joel Mallevialle

Hansruedi Siegrist

Xiaochang Wang

Yoshimasa Watanabe
