Partnerships and Affiliations Chair

Dr. Susanne Schmeier, LL.M., is an Associate Professor at IHE Delft and the Head of its Water Governance department. She is affiliated with Oregon State University, the Shared Waters Lab at the Fletcher School at Tufts University, and the International Water Law Academy at Wuhan University. She is also the International Waters Panel Member of the Global Environment Facility (GEF)’s Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP).
 
Her research focuses on the legal and institutional mechanisms to prevent conflict and foster cooperation over shared natural resources and the environment, with a particular interest in shared water resources. She has published widely on these topics in academic journals and books, but also to broader audiences as she is a sought-after public speaker who enjoys sharing science with society. She advises various governments, regional and international organizations on environmental and water security, water conflict and cooperation, and law and institutions.
 
Prior to joining IHE Delft, she worked for international organizations and governments, among others coordinating the Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)’s transboundary water portfolio and advising the Mekong River Commission on sustainable hydropower and on organizational reform.
 
Susanne holds and LL.M. degree in international environmental law from the University of London, UK, an MA in international relations and international law from the University of Leipzig, Germany, in collaboration with Sciences Po Paris, France, and a PhD in transboundary water governance from the Free University of Berlin, in partnership with Oregon State University, USA.