Eawag researcher Eberhard Morgenroth has given his inaugural lecture at ETH Zurich

17 May 2010

Eawag researcher Eberhard Morgenroth, the appointed successor to Willi Gujer for the ETH chair of Urban Water Management, has given his inaugural lecture at ETH Zurich. The video of the lecture can be found here. In the following interview he explains why he decided to accept this position, what he likes about Eawag and why he would have liked to meet the former director of Eawag Werner Stumm.

Why did you become environmental engineer?

In fact I wanted to build wind turbines. I decided to study to become an environmental engineer because I wanted to do something for the environment and for society. However, I noticed relatively quickly that an environmental engineer doesn’t have much to do with wind turbines. As a school leaver you don’t really know precisely what you are letting yourself in for.

Are you - even though you don't build wind turbines - satisfied with your career?

I experienced a number of highs and lows while I was studying. You realise that you can’t improve the world as a whole. But I enjoyed combining natural sciences and technology during my studies. And the fact that it is possible to solve a host of practical problems with a sound knowledge of the foundations and principles. This influenced me hugely and was a great source of inspiration.

You will be taking over the duties of Willi Gujer when he retires.

That’s right. At the moment we both hold the professorship. For me it is a very good way of finding my feet. From February 2011, when Willi retires, I will be going it alone.

Since August 2009 you have been employed by the ETH Zürich and have your research group at Eawag. What do you think of this situation?

On the one hand it isn’t easy to work in two institutions which are linked yet separate. On the other this is precisely what appeals to me about the position: Eawag concentrates completely on research and cooperation in the field while the ETH is a university. I wouldn’t like to miss out on either element.

What opportunities does Eawag offer which you didn't have before?

Eawag has a huge amount to offer, a critical mass and brings together a host of disciplines. The possibility of being involved in natural sciences, social sciences and system analysis: at Eawag all this is under one roof and colleagues are very open to working together. In the aQa restaurant you quickly strike up conversations. But Eawag’s close links with practice are also key. The tension between pure research and practical application is what makes life

especially interesting here. Nonetheless leaving the University of Illinois was a tough decision because it is an outstanding university with excellent conditions

What are your research aims?

A priority is to strengthen cooperation with other departments at Eawag. And I am also interested in conducting groundbreaking research that deals with the issues of the future: what direction will municipal water management take in the next 10 to 50 years?

Is that why your inaugural lecture is entitled "Where should we take our water from?"

Yes, because the professorship must do more than just develop good processes. Integrated solutions must be found to obtain clean water for urban use and also to return clean water to the natural cycle.

Moving on: how do you maintain a work/life balance?

(laughs) My wife once gave me a poster with the title “Keep the Balance.“ The picture showed an elephant standing on a ball. To this very day I’m not sure exactly what she was trying to say. But getting back to your question: I am happy if I can do something with my family. We have three children aged from 7 to 12 who keep us on our toes

What book is lying on your bedside table at the moment?

Italian Shoes by Henning Mankell. But there are often crime thrillers on my bedside table.

If you had the choice, which scientist, dead or living, would you like to meet?

Hmm… who would it be? Werner Stumm, yes, I wouldn’t mind meeting him. His spirit is still present at Eawag and he combines a fascination and enthusiasm for research and teaching. It is simply a pleasure to work with his books. I only know him from anecdotes and stories. I like to find out what he was like.

Martina Bauchrowitz conducted the interview.