SAMARA
LÓPEZ RUIZ

My research career is driven by a commitment to excellence and policy impact. My doctoral thesis, awarded cum laude and an international mention, laid the foundation for an interdisciplinary focus on socio-economic and environmental challenges, particularly urban water policy. I integrate institutional and environmental perspectives to explore technical, regulatory, and governance aspects of water management, while also examining political systems and the role of non-state actors. SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBUTIONS Since 2018, I have been part of three research groups, including the DEHUSO Excellence Unit. According to WOS, I rank in the 81st author percentile. I have published over 10 articles in peer-reviewed journals, including Q1 JCR journals like Water Resources Management, and authored book chapters with publishers like Elsevier. I have contributed to 5 major research projects across national and regional plans and presented at numerous conferences, including EWRA and AECPA. I also co-organized events like the 17th ISQOLS Conference and reviewed for over 10 journals (e.g., Water International, Environmental Sociology). Among my key works is a pioneering study on public acceptance of non-conventional water resources (35+ citations, Google Scholar), featured in Agenda Pública (El País). My research on the human right to water and governance (40+ citations) also attracted the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), leading to a consultancy contract. INTERNATIONALIZATION I have conducted two research stays and taught internationally. In September 2024, I was invited to give a seminar on scientific writing at the National University of Colombia (Erasmus+ grant). From March to June 2022, I was at the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), working with UNICEF and partners from Colombia, Sweden, and Ecuador. I helped to develop a sanitation quality index for cities in Costa Rica and Colombia and co-designed a WASH costing tool for schools. I have since integrated this tool into my Public Policy Analysis course. From July to October 2023, I led a project at IHE-Delft on water disconnections and economic vulnerability. I conducted stakeholder interviews, drafted two manuscripts, and presented at a UN-Habitat webinar. KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER I focus on translating research into actionable solutions. I have worked on 8 transfer contracts with national and international organizations. My applied research, featured in outlets like FEMP-AEAS and the IDB, emphasizes open-access dissemination and better governance. I contributed to revising Spain’s Water Tariff Guide (OTRI Nº 4893 & 5599) and led a public awareness campaign on shower use (OTRI 4896). Since April 2023, I have been an external consultant for the IDB, supporting water tariff analyses and WASH assessments in LAC schools. My publication on LAC water tariffs, with 16,000+ downloads, was the IDB’s most engaged work of the year. I believe research should extend beyond academia to create real societal impact—a principle guiding my teaching, where I blend theory with practical application.