USM to host public lecture on Thursday about Hierarchies of Expertise: Whose Water Knowledge Counts and Why?

SINT MAARTEN (POND ISLAND) - The University of St. Martin (USM) will host a public lecture titled “Hierarchies of Expertise: Whose Water Knowledge Counts and Why?” on Thursday, March 12, 2026, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the University Lecture Hall 202 Free entrance.

The lecture will be delivered by Dr. Shahnoor Hasan, a Bangladeshi academic and Senior Researcher on water governance and development at Deltares in the Netherlands. Dr. Hasan specializes in the politics of water governance and climate adaptation, examining how expertise, power, and knowledge shape global water policies and development practices.

Drawing on Science and Technology Studies and the anthropology of development, Dr. Hasan’s research explores how actors such as farmers, engineers, policymakers, and donors influence water governance and technology. Her work highlights how power dynamics can determine whose knowledge is recognized and whose voices may be excluded in decision-making processes.

Dr. Hasan has also conducted research on the Dutch Delta Approach in Vietnam and Bangladesh, contributing to broader international discussions about water governance, knowledge exchange, and the global influence of Dutch water management strategies.

During the lecture, Dr. Hasan will engage the local community in exploring how hierarchies of expertise influence development and governance decisions, particularly in the context of water management and climate adaptation.

The University of St. Martin invites students, faculty, researchers, policymakers, and members of the public to attend this important discussion. The event provides an opportunity for participants to engage with global perspectives on water governance while reflecting on the role that diverse knowledge systems play in shaping sustainable solutions for environmental challenges.