Presentation

Irene Blanco Gutiérrez is an Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) and a researcher at the Research Centre for the Management of Agricultural and Environmental Risks (CEIGRAM), Spain. She holds a PhD in Agricultural Engineering (UPM), with research stays at UC Davis, and MSc degrees in Agrifood Economics (University of Montpellier 1) and Agrifood Policies (CIHEAM Montpellier).
She teaches Applied Microeconomics, Agricultural Policy and Rural Development, and Bioeconomy at UPM. She has also been an invited lecturer in France (CIHEAM Montpellier), Italy (CIHEAM Bari), Germany (Humboldt University), the UK (University of Leeds), the USA (UCLA), Colombia (Universidad de Santander), and the Dominican Republic (Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo).
Her research has been conducted across Europe, North Africa, and Latin America. She has led competitive research projects funded by the EU and the Spanish government, and collaborated with international organizations such as FAO and CEPAL, addressing issues related to water management, climate change, ecosystem conservation, and food security.
She serves as Associate Editor for Irrigation Science and the Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research, and as an expert evaluator for research and innovation programs including the EU Framework Programme, the Austrian Science Fund, the Polish National Science Centre, and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation.

What I can bring to this network ?

Research and teaching experience in systems science applied to water and agriculture.
Active involvement in research networks and collaboration with the European Engineering Learning Innovation and Science Alliance (EELISA), led by UPM, aimed at advancing a common model for European engineering education.
Publications and practical tools for systems analysis with real-world applications.

What I seek in this network ?

I seek opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, knowledge exchange, and joint research at both global and regional levels. I am particularly interested in learning from others’ policy-relevant experiences in tackling complex sustainability challenges, and in exploring how to translate these insights into education, through innovative training programs and academic partnerships that empower future decision-makers.

Presentation

Mario Ballesteros-Olza is a researcher at IMDEA Water Institute, within the Economic and Institutional Analysis Group. He holds a degree in Environmental Sciences, a Master’s in Sustainable Water Management and a PhD in Economics and Business. His work focuses on water and agricultural economics, climate change adaptation and circular economy, with applications in both rural and urban water systems. He has combined economic analysis, systems modelling and stakeholder engagement to support evidence-based decision-making across several national and European research projects and applied consultancies with institutions such as the EIB, the EC and WWF. He has applied a range of system-oriented methods, including participatory approaches and tools such as Fuzzy Cognitive Maps, to analyse complex interactions between water, agriculture, policy and society.

What I can bring to this network ?

I bring applied experience in the use of systems approaches to address water and agricultural challenges, with a strong focus on bridging research, policy and practice. My work combines participatory and modelling tools, such as Fuzzy Cognitive Maps, to support knowledge elicitation and decision-making processes. I also have experience working closely with stakeholders, public institutions and international organisations in complex socio-ecological contexts.

What I seek in this network ?

I am interested in collaborating around applied systems approaches for water and agricultural challenges, particularly where economic analysis, modelling and stakeholder engagement intersect. I am also keen to explore how AI tools can complement systems thinking and support decision-making in the water sector.

Presentation

Jannike van Bruggen is a researcher at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences. She holds a degree in Environmental Sciences and Transnational Water Management and completed her PhD in the field of farming systems research looking at food security and climate adaptation of smallholders in Uganda. She studies how climate change, water management, and socio-economic factors affect farming systems and smallholder farmers’ ability to adapt to climate change. She currently coordinates the SUFACHAIN project on developing sustainable agroforestry systems and value chains for fruit and nut production in Central Asia.

What I can bring to this network ?

experience with household surveys, spatial data analysis, farming systems approaches, integration of socio-economic and environmental data, background in water management with focus on irrigated smallholder systems, work experience in SSA, Central Asia, Southeastern Europe

What I seek in this network ?

exchange of best practices and ideas, jointly enhancing systems research, joint research efforts