I am Ece Demir, a citizen of both Brazil and Türkiye. I have a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from the Middle East Technical University in Türkiye, where I focused my research on the circular economy of water, natural resource governance, and the WEFE nexus.

NexusNet has provided remarkable opportunities for many young scientists through its strong network of universities, research organizations, policymakers, and private sector actors. The collaborative studies produced by this diverse community have significantly advanced efforts to promote policy coherence and better understand the complex dynamics of the water-energy-food Nexus.

I believe that all NexusNet fellows are incredibly lucky to be part of such a supportive and inspiring network. In my case, I am even more fortunate to have benefited from several NexusNet opportunities.

1st NEXUSNET Training School (Lisbon, Portugal, 22-26 May 2023)

My collaboration with NexusNet began in the first year of my Master’s programme, when I participated in the 1^st NexusNet Training School, held in Lisbon in May 2023. The event focused on addressing the increasing pressure on the city’s water resources caused by rapid population growth and the expanding tourism sector. Organised by NexusNet COST in collaboration with ISCTE Lisbon, the Training School brought together students, researchers, and professionals from around the world to exchange ideas and explore solutions to the challenges of the water-energy-food Nexus.

As scholars of the Training School, we had the opportunity to present our previous academic and professional work related to the water-energy-nutrition Nexus. After the presentations, the participants were divided into three interdisciplinary teams, each assigned a real-life case study that addressed the challenges of the Nexus. These group projects required us to work intensively together, integrating our diverse academic backgrounds and practical insights within a tight timeframe. Our team’s final output is still publicly available online: https://preview.shorthand.com/L2be21zCJ7tAwquA, which captures the ambitious spirit and collaborative energy that characterised the Training School experience. A preview of this work is presented in Figure 1 below. In addition to the academic activities, we also had the opportunity to experience the vibrant culture, historic neighbourhoods, and warm hospitality of Lisbon, which made the experience even more memorable and enriching (Figure 2).

Figure 1: A visual preview of our case study contribution to the 1st NEXUSNET Training School.

Figure 2: A colorful moment on the streets of Lisbon, summer 2023.

Virtual Mobility (VM) Mission on supporting the monitoring of NexusNet communication and dissemination activities (Virtual, 15-31 October 2023)

My next contact with NexusNet was a virtual mobility mission centred on the network’s outreach activities. This experience gave me valuable insights into the communication and engagement aspects of academic research. As part of this mission, I contacted all STSM and VM fellows since 2021 and created a detailed database of their outreach contributions. I supported the fellows in preparing blog posts and video content required for their fellowships, strengthening our overall outreach efforts. I also collaborated with the leaders and co-leaders of various working groups to gather materials, including infographics, reports, and articles, for publication. In collaboration with them, I have helped disseminate this content through various channels to increase the visibility of NexusNet. Working with such a motivated group of researchers has been incredibly inspiring and rewarding.

Inclusive Target Countries Conference (ITC) Grant for the World Environmental & Water Resources (EWRI) Congress (USA, 19-22 May 2024)

Through the support of the ITC Conference Grant, I had the opportunity to give two oral presentations at the EWRI World Environmental & Water Resources Congress in May 2024. The first one, titled “Assessment of Circular Economy Potential in Water and Agriculture Sectors in the Context of WEF Nexus in Türkiye”, presented innovative circular economy strategies to address the interdependencies between the water, energy, and food sectors in Türkiye and emphasized the importance of comprehensive assessments for effective policy making. The second presentation, “Enhancing Watershed Management through Stakeholder Analysis (SA) and Social Network Analysis (SNA)”, presented a methodology for categorizing and mapping stakeholder interactions in watershed management and provided policy recommendations to strengthen network cohesion and support cross-sector collaboration. A photo of one of the presentations is shown below in Figure 3.

Both presentations sparked meaningful discussions, and the feedback I received helped me find new ways to increase the impact of my work in practice. Attending this conference independently was a significant step that enabled me to represent our research group on another continent and also strengthen my voice in the field. I had the opportunity to meet students and academics from all over the United States. The opportunity to attend the EWRI 2024 conference, engage in dialogue, and expand my network would not have been possible without NexusNet.

Figure 3. Presentation delivered at the EWRI World Environmental & Water Resources Congress 2024, supported by the ITC Conference Grant under NexusNet.

SustainFood Collaborative Learning School (CLS) on Chesapeake Bay Watershed (USA, 1-15 June 2024)

With the support of my last NexusNet grant, I had the opportunity to participate in the Collaborative Learning School (CLS) 2024. The programme began in January 2024 with bi-weekly online sessions that provided a solid foundation for the Water-Energy-Food Nexus (WEF) in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

From June 1 to 14, 2024, I participated in the two-week residential phase of the programme in the United States. The first week focused on community-level learning through site visits, workshops at Dickinson University Farm, hands-on activities, and sessions with local experts. The second week focused on policy-level learning, governance structures, and strategic discussions on environmental management.

At the end of the program, we presented our results in the form of posters at the Pennsylvania–Chesapeake Bay Policy Meeting, which experts from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture also attended. These posters, one of which is shown in Figure 4, enabled us to communicate our findings directly to policymakers.

Figure 4: Research poster on the management of cattle manure and food processing residues in Pennsylvania, developed by the CLS Waste Management Group.

In addition to the formal sessions, the side activities planned during the week have been some of the most enriching experiences in my life. These included learning how to canoe with Professor Christopher Scott and making homemade pizzas outdoors while discussing self-sufficiency practices at Dickinson University Farm with Professor Michael Jacobson. Many other meaningful activities go unmentioned here for the sake of brevity (Figure 5).

Figure 5: Unforgettable moments with CLS mentors, canoeing and Outdoor Cooking.

I have deep respect and sincere gratitude for everyone involved in NexusNet. Coming from a low-income country, many of these opportunities were previously out of reach, both financially and academically. NexusNet not only opened doors for me but also provided the confidence, guidance, and encouragement that helped me walk through them with confidence. The network was more than just a source of funding or support; it was a community that believed in the potential of early-career scientists and invested in their growth. Every interaction, project, and shared experience has left a lasting impression on how I view collaboration, sustainability, and my role in shaping the future of environmental policy. I am very grateful to have been a part of this initiative and will carry its values forward in my academic and professional journey.

Keywords: WEF Nexus, Circular Economy, Environmental Governance, Collaborative Learning, Stakeholder Engagement