The science policy interface is key to addressing current and future scientific problems. It is not only a way to increase the impact of scientific output, but also a way to translate scientific results into actionable knowledge that supports evidence-based decision making and policy. For hydrological scientists, interactions with policy makers are also key to enhancing the way water-related research questions are formulated, and societal challenges are addressed to support realistic and feasible local solutions. With the ever-increasing pressures on water availability and the profound social, economic, ecological and political impacts, a deeper understanding of water security and resilience (both regarding droughts and floods) in the science policy context is needed. This can identify hydrological research priorities and improve knowledge transfer and translation to support adaptive EU and global policies that focus on water resilience in the face of climate extremes.
This session provides the opportunity for discussing and addressing avenues for 1) understanding the functioning of the many science and policy interfaces in hydrological sciences, 2) the role that research and operations must play in developing water resilience and 3) the impact adaptative polices and directives have on promoting water resilience locally or globally. Specifically, we also want to highlight the role of science in providing impartial scientific evidence-based guidelines for fostering ‘blue diplomacy” in transboundary river basin cooperation initiatives and underlining the need for interdisciplinary approaches to addressing water concerns in Europe and worldwide. Therefore, we welcome abstracts related to interdisciplinary science policy research to build water resilience, transboundary water research, and water diplomacy initiatives.