Dr.ir. Maurits Ertsen

Irrigation is closely associated with the start of human civilization, has been a major technology in (post-)colonial development efforts, and is regaining importance within climate & food debates. I want to know how irrigation realities emerge from short-term actions of (non-)human agents. Read my new book on the Gezira Scheme in Sudan, published by Palgrave in 2015. In 2014, I presented the outline of the book at the Rachel Carson Center for Environment and Society in Munich, Germany, and was interviewed about it as well.

• I work on human agency in (ancient) irrigation, using models in several projects. I participate in is the Erbil Plain Archaeological Survey (EPAS), directed by Jason Ur.
• I teach Civil Engineering in Developing Countries (CIE5560), Water Management Research (CTB3415) and Water Systems, People and Society (CIE4410). I coordinate the Honours Programme of CEG.
• In 1993, I graduated in irrigation engineering (MSc) at Wageningen University.I earned myPhD in 2005 in Delft.
• I am president of the International Water History Association and secretary of the Dutch Association of Water History.
• With Heather Hoag, I am editor of Water History , the journal of IWHA.