Networking for the wise use of groundwater resources throughout the world: The Early Career Hydrogeologists’ Network (ECHN) of IAH

The International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH) is a scientific and educational charitable organisation for scientists, engineers, water managers and other professionals working in the fields of groundwater resource planning, management and protection. Its mission is to further the understanding, wise use and protection of groundwater resources throughout the world. The Early Career Hydrogeologists’ Network (ECHN) is an official network of IAH, providing a forum for hydrogeologists at the start of their professional or academic careers and promoting their involvement in IAH affairs.

First steps towards the formation of this network were taken at the 38^th IAH Congress in Krakow (Poland) in September 2010, where the first young/early career hydrogeologists’ session was held. Further to this meeting, a group of junior hydrogeologists teamed up for the Early Career Hydrogeologists Network. Originally intended to support the young hydrogeologists below the age of 35, the network now speaks up for those at the start of their professional careers in hydrogeology irrespective of their age. The professional background of the members ranges from academic/scientific to governmental and industrial.

One of the main goals of IAH is to improve the understanding of groundwater issues and to support its better management. To achieve this in a sustainable way, those at the start of their professional careers need to be involved into IAH affairs as early as possible. A well-established international network of early career hydrogeologists and their support are the keystone for a successful and forward-looking IAH.

The ECHN focuses on information sharing, networking and strengthening the status of early career hydrogeologists within IAH. The long-term objectives of the Early Career Hydrogeologists Network are: 1) To promote the involvement of hydrogeologists at the start of their professional careers into IAH structures (e. g. in Commissions and Networks), 2) To enhance the information sharing possibilities for early career hydrogeologists, and to provide a support network for members to discuss and develop ideas or schemes (e. g. by a web-based forum), 3) To preserve competence by a productive exchange between junior and senior hydrogeologists (e. g. a by mentoring program), 4) To bring forward advanced training possibilities (e. g. by virtual sessions as well as master-classes at conferences), and 5) To enhance the social and professional network of the early career hydrogeologists (e. g. by specific events at conferences).