The Netherlands Centre for River studies (NCR) is the leading cooperative alliance between all major Dutch institutes for river studies. We integrate knowledge, facilitate discussion and promote excellent science. By linking the strongest expertise of its partners, NCR forms a true centre of excellence in river studies. The disciplines within NCR are contributed by its partners and include not in particular order:
- Hydrodynamics and Morphodynamics
- Geomorphology and sedimentology
- River ecology and water quality
- River governance, serious gaming and spatial planning.
Organisation
The NCR boards as of February 2024.
Programme Secretary
The program secretary is responsible for the continuity, day-to-day management, communication (e.g. website, mailing, social platforms) and reporting of the NCR. Additionally, the program secretary is part of the program committee and supervisory board in the role of secretary. The secretary is appointed by the Supervisory board. The current secretary is dr. ir. Koen Berends of Deltares.
Supervisory board
The supervisory board consist of one senior member of each NCR partner. The member of the board choose their chair, which currently is prof. dr. Jaap Kwadijk of Deltares. The board supervises the implementation of the cooperation agreement, mediates in disputes and approves the annual program.
Programme committee
The program committee consists of representatives from each of the NCR partners. The program committee chooses the chair, which currently is drs. Matthijs Boersema of Rijkswaterstaat. The program committee is responsible for the (scientific) program of NCR. The committee initiates and stimulates research activities, proposals, and exchange of knowledge, ideas, experience, and results. The committee has regular meetings, with a frequency of about four times per year.
Young NCR
Young NCR (YNCR) was created in December 2020 with the aim to strengthen the NCR for young/early career professionals within the field of river studies in the Netherlands. The main goals of this board are:
- To create a space where young river professionals can exchange knowledge and experiences,
- To promote the presence of young professionals in (multidisciplinary) cooperation and knowledge transfer between research, governance and practice,
- To promote the exchange of knowledge and experience between young and senior professionals,
- To make suggestions and give feedback to the NCR program committee from a young professional point of view, keeping in mind the interests and needs of young river professionals in different stages of their career.
To this end, YNCR organises social gatherings, career and professional workshops, lunch talks, and symposia. While YNCR activities target young/early career professionals, no age or professional experience limitation applies. As of May 2024, the board of YNCR consists of the following 11 members, each representing an NCR partner institution:
Downloads
Logo
Logo including full name:
Acronym logo:
Both versions of the logo can be downloaded in high-res and vector formats:
The logo represents:
A meandering river – dividing vertically, but connecting horizontally – symbolising the opposing and binding forces in society. The colour gradient (blue to green-yellow) symbolises hydraulics, ecology and sediment
Acknowledgement
If you benefited from the NCR in your project, we encourage you to acknowledge us in your products! You can use the following acknowledgement: This research has benefited from cooperation within the network of the Netherlands Centre for River studies.
Sister organisation
History
1998
NCR was officially founded on October 8th 1998 by its founding fathers (amongst others) Eric Marteijn of RWS-RIZA, Eelco van Beek (WL|Delft Hydraulics) and Ad van Os (WL|Delft Hydraulics) . The first partners were the Universities of Delft, Nijmegen, Utrecht, Twente, UNESCO-IHE, RWS-RIZA, WL|Delft Hydraulics, the Staring Centre and the Institute for Forestry and Nature Development.
2000
First NCR-Days were held by WL|Delft Hydraulics, TNO-NITG and Alterra (formed from the Staring-Centre and Institute for Forestry and Nature Development) join NCR.
2002
Conclusion of the joint research programme IRMA-SPONGE, sponsored by the EU (INTERREG-IIC) that was set-up and coordinated by the NCR.
2003
Wageningen University joins NCR
2005
Start of the integrated project (IP) FLOODsite funded within the 6th Framework Programme of the European Commission.
2008
Deltares is formed from WL|Delft Hydraulics and parts of TNO and RWS. The remaining part of RWS still devoted to river studies joins NCR as RWS-WD (Rijkswaterstaat Waterdienst). Closing conference of FLOODsite.
NCR celebrates her 10th anniversary at the NCR-DAYS 2008 organised by Deltares in Dalfsen.
2013
Rijkswaterstaat re-organises and is henceforth represented as RWS-WVL (Rijkswaterstaat Water, Verkeer en Leefomgeving).
NCR celebrates her 15th anniversity the the NCR-DAYS 2013 at UNESCO-IHE.
2014
The NCR partners, spearheaded by the University of Twente, submit and are awarded the joint research programme ‘RiverCare’.
2016
Alterra and Wageningen University join forces and are from now on represented as ‘Wageningen University & Research’
2018
NCR celebrates her 20th anniversary at the NCR-DAYS 2018 organised by Deltares in Delft
2020
Young NCR is formed.
2023
NCR celebrates her 25th anniversary at the NCR-DAYS 2023 organised by Radboud University Nijmegen
First NCR Summerschool organised by Twente University.