Rita Ugarelli receives KWR Honorary Fellowship 2022 for connective leadership

Rita Ugarelli has been proclaimed KWR Honorary Fellow 2022 for transcending water infrastructure and hydroinformatics and bringing people and organisations together.

Rita Ugarelli is Adjunct Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and Chief Scientific Officer at SINTEF. SINTEF – also based in Norway – is a multidisciplinary research organisation with international top-level expertise in technology, natural sciences, medicine and social sciences. Ugarelli received her Honorary Fellow award from Dragan Savic, KWR’s CEO.

Source of inspiration and leadership

In his appointment address, Savic describes the new Honorary Fellow as a source of inspiration in her combination of the research areas of water infrastructure and hydroinformatics. Ugarelli shows leadership in shaping international consortia, collaborating with KWR and other institutes, as well as utilities and other parties. Ugarelli also knows how to strike the right balance between doing research herself and allowing others – sometimes less experienced researchers – to develop their own skills.

Transboundary

With her roots in Italy while working from Norway, Ugarelli embodies her transboundary vision on water issues and the associated human dimensions. She knows how to smoothly navigate between different cultures in the EU domain and between different types of organisations, which is of key importance for keeping complex partnerships running smoothly and proactively. ‘It is in my DNA to pay attention to people; this brings cultures together,’ says the researcher.

Connective leadership

Ugarelli feels humbled by the KWR Honorary Fellowship. She finds it special that KWR focuses not only on her professional knowledge, but also on her leadership qualities, such as connecting and collaborating. ‘Recognising these skills also says something about KWR as an organisation,’ she believes. ‘It is a privilege to work with this institute’s competent and multidisciplinary scientists. The openness and transparency they exhibit is fantastic. What especially strikes me is the space given to young, promising researchers to grow. Assisted by experienced and capable leaders, there is a special balance between junior and senior researchers at KWR.’

KWR CEO Dragan Savic (left) unveils the plaque at KWR’s office formalizing the Honorary Fellowship of Rita Ugarelli (right). Ugarelli is number eight in this growing series of impact makers for the international water sector.

The presentation of the award took place in the presence of Honorary Fellows who preceded Ugarelli. From left to right Ad van Wijk (Honorary Fellow since 2018), Willy Verstraete (Honorary Fellow since 2017), Martien den Blanken (Honorary Fellow since 2015), Rita Ugarelli, Dragan Savic (director KWR), Mariëlle van der Zouwen (deputy director KWR), Luc Keustermans (Honorary Fellow since 2021).

KWR CEO Dragan Savic explains why Rita Ugarelli has been awarded the KWR Honorary Fellowship 2022.

Rita Ugarelli (left), Dragan Savic (right).

Rita Ugarelli gives an introduction to her collaboration with KWR, which started in 2006.

Extra boost

Ugarelli has been collaborating with KWR on European projects within the water world since 2006. To this end, she believes the Aqua Research Collaboration (ARC) is an excellent vehicle to facilitate structured partnerships within Europe. KWR and SINTEF are both among the founding members of ARC. Ugarelli: ‘I see this Honorary Fellowship as an extra boost for our collaboration in the field of water science and innovation. We live in an exciting time. In recent years, I have seen a wave of enthusiasm in the research community for the perception of new challenges as opportunities. Ranging from climate adaptation to environmental issues, and to the new threats to society, such as cyber vulnerability, which can impact the safety of the water provision. We are embracing innovation and connecting domains like water and energy, to understand cascading effects and heighten preparedness. We also shape the social commitment of the water sector, something that KWR, for example, excels at. Whether you live in Italy or Norway, everyone in Europe is aware that we need to find new ways to value water. Not only to save that one drop, but also to extract value from water with a view to promoting a circular economy. I look forward to working with KWR and many others in developing the knowledge that will help make the water sector more sustainable and resilient.’

KWR Honorary Fellowship

Since 2015, KWR has annually awarded an Honorary Fellowship to individuals who make a contribution to the research community and society. These are managers, supervisors or owners within KWR’s national and international network. Rita Ugarelli has joined the growing list of recipients of the prestigious appointment, following Martien den Blanken (2015), Joan Rose (2016), Willy Verstraete (2017), Ad van Wijk (2018), Harry Seah (2019), Marion Koopmans (2020) and Luc Keustermans (2021).

An Honorary Fellow is appointed for life. Together with peers who have received the same award, Honorary Fellows form a source of knowledge, expertise and experience that upholds and supports KWR’s ambition and collective values.