Life and Thought
Kaveh Madani (born 1981) is an Iranian scientist, researcher, and environmental activist. He is known as the Director of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) and a distinguished professor in the field of water resources management and environmental systems analysis.
Kaveh Madani was born in 1981 in Tehran. He received his bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Tabriz, his master's degree from Lund University in Sweden, and his PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of California, Davis. He subsequently completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Environmental Economics and Policy at the University of California, Riverside, and then taught and conducted research as a professor at prestigious universities such as the University of Central Florida and Imperial College London.
Madani has gained international renown for his innovative research integrating mathematical modeling, game theory, and decision analysis in water resources management and complex environmental challenges. In his scholarly works and lectures, he has specifically addressed the water bankruptcy crisis, climate change, and sustainability management in Iran and the Middle East, dissecting concepts such as "water bankruptcy." He has received numerous international awards, including the European Geosciences Union (EGU) Young Scientists Award.
In addition to his academic activities, Madani has served as the Deputy for Education and Research at Iran's Department of Environment. He currently serves as the Director of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) and is considered one of the key figures in water diplomacy and environmental policymaking on a global scale.