The Water Research Institute (IdRA)

There can be no doubt that water is essential for life and for the development of our society. Water plays a major role in society, politics and the economy, and its management is one of the challenges that must be tackled in the twenty-first century.

The fight against contamination, the call for rational water use, efforts to overcome shortfalls in supply and the forecast and management of extreme situations (droughts and floods) are all priorities that need professionals with the capacity and the criteria for action. The required actions range from highly specific aspects of local supply to involvement in European or international strategies.

For this reason, and to improve interdisciplinary research and foster the process of university education reform, the University of Barcelona founded the Water Research Institute. The Institute strengthens the University's potential through specific structures and instruments devised to channel research and teaching in the field of water.

New Director in the IdRA

Dr. José Francisco García Martínez, Professor of Analytical Chemistry is the new director of the IdRA for the four-year period 2019-2023, after the end of the management period of Dr. Javier Martín-Vide, who will continue as a member of the Board of the Institute. The new director will be the third of the IdRA, after Dr. Martín-Vide and Dr. Montoro. The three represent very significant and varied lines of research, focused on water, within the Institute. The close collaboration between the outgoing and incoming directors guarantees the perfect continuity in the operation of the Institute and the rapid approach of the new objectives.

July 2019

From left to right, Dr. José Francisco García Martínez, new director of IdRA, Dr. Belén Noguera de la Muela, former academic secretary and Dr. Javier Martín-Vide, former director