Saskia Werners

Dr Saskia Werners’ main research interest is adaptation to global change in water management. To capitalise on our growing capacity to project global change impacts, variability and risks, I research how information services can be embedded in decision-making to provide actors with actionable knowledge at the right moment for adaptive management. My research covers both short term adaptive decision making and longer-term adaptation pathway development. A key innovation in my work is how actor participation and the integration of actor perspectives can increase the actionability of research and empower actors to respond adaptively.

At present, I study the role of co-production of information, experimentation and pathways in managing change. My vision is supporting people to envision climate resilient development pathways to manage uncertainty and change, and to strengthen their capacity to adaptively implement these pathways guided by actionable information. Education and capacity building are necessary elements of this vision.

I am proud to co-lead the Vulnerability Assessment, Risk Management & Adaptive Planning (VARMAP) Division at United Nations University - Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) and to be affiliated with Wageningen University & Research. My scientific expertise is complemented by practical experience, working in the national government and the private sector.