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Edward Kimani witnessed firsthand the pressing issue of water availability in his native Kenya. “We could only get water on certain days of the week. Say Monday and Wednesday for our neighborhood, while others got it on Tuesday and Thursday.” This rationing sparked both frustration and opportunity, ultimately leading him to pursue an MSc and PhD in water technology across continents.
The people behind the science, and the science behind the people.
Despite his early struggles with water scarcity, Edward’s path to Leeuwarden was unexpected. Working as an environmental engineer, he maintained a connection to climate and water issues. It wasn’t until he learned of a degree program in the Netherlands that his childhood dream resurfaced. Edward secured a scholarship for the MSc Water Technology program at Wetsus, transitioning back to academic life after years in the workforce.
The return to academia demanded dedication and self-discipline. “I had not studied for a while, so I wanted to make sure I was familiar with what was new.” He undertook independent study to prepare for my coursework and get back up to speed. And his efforts paid off as he sped through his degree, gaining a comprehensive understanding of water technology. Inspired by his professors, Edward then embarked on a PhD focused on deepening modeling knowledge in the membrane field.
Edward’s doctoral research addressed the complex interactions between charged salt particles and molecular filters used in desalination. He spent years investigating how ions pair or repel each other, as well as how particles adhere to the charged crevices of membranes. His work focused on developing and validating transport theories for reverse osmosis (RO).
Edward’s experience at Wetsus extended far beyond his research. He found a welcoming and supportive environment where he built meaningful connections. “I will for sure remember the social aspects of my time at Wetsus. I particularly enjoyed the Dutch borrels and playing soccer with colleagues,” he shares.
Despite his immersion in Dutch culture, Edward never lost sight of his original drive to make a difference in his home country. “I’m currently volunteering as a consultant for companies in Kenya, such as Majik Water – they extract water from the air to increase its availability to more Kenyans,” he says proudly. Curious to know more? Edward Kimani is set to defend his thesis, “The Relevance of Physicochemical Descriptions in Water Desalination by Reverse Osmosis,” on March 31st, 2025, at the University of Twente.
Abstract
The realisation of a circular economy has thus far unfolded under the assumption that it would fit within existing economic arrangements. In practice, we witness many circular initiatives struggling to give shape to their ambitions, let alone develop to maturity. These past months, various material recycling organisations terminated their activities, seeing virgin alternatives from other parts of the world flooding the market at prices against they cannot compete. If the transition towards a circular economy (i.e. an economy of value preservation) is to be taken seriously, a new perspective on value in our economic system seems unavoidable, as the rewriting of the rules of the economic game. At this moment, current perceptions of value stand in the way of this transition both at micro as well as macro levels. Several contours for a collective exploration of new directions of value and economic configuration that foster circular transition will be addressed.
Abstract
In his key note he will conclude after a life of innovations that it is impossible that humanity will stay within the save planetary boundaries with innovation only. We should be more critical about the behaviour of the rich population in the world and more critical about new innovations that prove to be dangerous, like the PFAS crisis shows at this moment. In his keynote he will investigate how to look at the world that can stay within the save planetary boundaries, how should we change ourselves? It is clear if we only talk about the words of science and systems we miss the essential words of how we should cooperate and change ourselves. And his search for coherent save innovations. Which innovations will be save and will lead to a fair and sustainable world? And will lead to a world we want to live in.
Abstract
There is a growing number of new sustainable, inclusive, cohesive, participatory, just and humane economic models. A possible next step in the discourse about them is the comparative analysis in order to find out key commonalities, potential synergies, and “requirements” for a future-fit economic model. The author and initiator of the Economy for the Common Good provides an overview of these „new sustainable economic models“ and compares them according to underlying values, principles, and practical ways of implementation. The keynote addresses the cooperative spirit of the conference and prepares the ground for its public highlight on the eve of June 3rd, the round table with representatives of diverse future-fit economic models.
Abstract
The scientific debate on whether economies should always continue to grow increasingly becomes a political and societal debate. On the one hand further growth for the most affluent countries seems neither possible nor valuable, but on the other hand there is still lack of understanding and knowledge what a non-growing economy should look like and could best be governed. In this lecture we discuss various policy measures that can be realistically implemented, take into account government finances and aim at a higher quality of life despite a non-growing economy.
Abstract
Democracy is under pressure, and less and less able to stir the economy into a sustainable direction. Therefore, to stabilize democracy and to make possible the socio-ecological transformation of the economy, democratic principles need to be implemented directly in the economy. This is not only a matter of morality, but also has practical advantages. Democratizing the economy can increase legitimacy and take advantage of the “knowledge of the many” to accelerate the transformation. Democratic practices, especially deliberation, allow bringing together different forms of knowledge, which is crucial for the local implementation of principles of social and ecological sustainability. This talk explores what this idea means in more concrete terms, from democratic participation in the workplace to the democratization of time.
Abstract
Over the past decades, markets have conventionally been seen as the best instrument to stimulate economic growth and enhance prosperity and well-being. The automatic link between markets and economic growth is increasingly questioned, however, as well as the automatic link between economic growth and enhancement of well-being. This has led to attempts to capture well-being development more directly than through GDP per capita figures and has produced a more variegated picture of well-being growth. Also, this has led to a shift of focus to other coordination systems than the market, as primarily the state but increasingly also the association. Analyses of the historical record suggest that especially the latter could be a vital component in future well-being.
