Ana Margarida Lopes Saraiva Alves Bento, Editor of Newsflash Europe interviews Dr. Staffan Lundström, Chair Professor at the Luleå University of Technology and future Chair of the upcoming 9th IAHR Europe Congress, "Arctic Waters and Beyond: Innovative Hydro-Environment Engineering for a Sustainable Future," to be held in Luleå, Sweden, 9-12 of June 2026.

With a career grounded in advanced fluid mechanics, Dr. Lundström shares insights and priorities for the upcoming European Congress. Don't miss this opportunity to discover how the 9th IAHR Europe Congress aims to become a catalyst for collaboration, innovation, and impact.

1. As the future Chair of an upcoming IAHR Europe Congress, what is your vision for the event? What themes or topics do you believe must take centre stage to address the most pressing challenges in hydro-environment engineering and research?

My vision for the upcoming IAHR Europe Congress is to create a dynamic platform that unites academia, industry, municipalities and policymakers to tackle the most important hydro-environmental challenges. Key themes include, Ecological flows, Urban waters, Climate change and risk mitigation, EU - framework directive and other regulations, Special conditions in Arctic climate, Numerical and experimental methods for fluid flow, Hydraulic machinery and River, lakes and reservoirs.

2. Your background in fluid mechanics, multiphase flows, and microfluidics is highly relevant to both fundamental and applied research. How do you envision bridging this expertise with the evolving demands of water management and sustainability?

Applied fluid mechanics, in general, is of importance for both water management and sustainability. This is also the case for different subgroups of fluid mechanics like multiphase flow and microfluidics. By usage of advanced experimental and numerical techniques new knowledge is created and different types of models and technologies can be developed based on this. This may imply increased usage of the energy available, improve the environmental conditions and increase the resilience. It may lso imply that water treatment processes are enhanced and early-warning systems for hydrological hazards are developed. Hence a combination of fundamental science and practical application is essential for sustainable water management including energy harvesting.

3. IAHR is a multidisciplinary community. In your view, how can we foster stronger integration between hydraulic research and societal needs, particularly in the face of climate change and increased waterrelated risks?

To strengthen the link between hydraulic research and societal impact, stakeholder engagement should be prioritised from the start of research projects. Integrating social sciences, co-developing solutions with communities, and fostering open data practices will allow hydraulic research to more effectively, than today, address issues such as climate adaptation and energy harvesting under good ecological conditions.

4. The motto of the 9th IAHR Europe Congress is “Arctic Waters and Beyond. Innovating Hydro- Environment Engineering for a sustainable future.” How do you see future congresses continuing or expanding this theme, both in terms of scientific frontiers and collaboration across regions and sectors?

I think each congress should have its unique theme based on location and the then current situation in the world. Except for Arctic waters the theme of the conference is generic and may be some future Cogresses expand upon.

5. You have been involved in advancing both research and education. What strategies do you think are essential to better prepare students and young professionals for careers in hydraulic engineering and water sciences?

Education strategies should emphasize experiential learning, interdisciplinary coursework, and industry/ societal engagement. Encouraging student participation in real-world projects and international exchanges can build the adaptive and innovative mindset needed in today’s water professionals.

6. Digitalization is reshaping how we study and manage water. What advances in computational methods, data science, or experimental tools do you believe will transform our field in the next decade?

Advances in AI-driven modeling, remote sensing, and digital twins are set to transform our field. Cloud-based platforms for data sharing, combined with advanced experimental setups using best techniques available, will significantly enhance both research and operational capabilities.

7. As someone active in European and international collaborations, how do you see the role of IAHR in strengthening research networks and innovation partnerships across Europe and globally?

IAHR serves as a catalyst for building bridges across borders and disciplines. We should further support thematic working groups, open-access repositories, and joint doctoral programs. Influencing European frameworks like Horizon programmes can also increase funding opportunities. 

8. The IAHR Europe Congresses are known for strong youth engagement. What plans or ideas do you have to further empower early-career researchers and ensure their active participation and visibility in future editions?

As for the conference, we plan to have several activities for young researchers and PhD students.

9. What do you consider to be the most significant shifts in hydraulic research in recent years, and how should the IAHR community respond to them?

Recent years focus has shifted  towards nature-based solutions, ecological and climate change concerns, use of advanced experimental and numerical tools including AI-solutions and open source publications. The IAHR community should respond by promoting interdisciplinary research, accelerating technology transfer, and encouraging open-access dissemination to democratize innovation.

10. Finally, what legacy or long-term impact would you like your edition of the IAHR Europe Congress to leave?

To contribute to a stronger collaboration across sectors, influence policies towards sustainable water management, and inspire and equip the next generation of water professionals with knowledge and networks to tackle future challenges.

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