Lars Wiersma is a PhD candidate at the Governance and Inclusive Development programme group at the University of Amsterdam. He has a background in engineering and management (BSc, MSc), with a specialisation in water resources engineering.

His PhD research centres on the allocation of freshwater resources, risks, and responsibilities. By examining how different governance mechanisms, arrangements, and infrastructure availability affect water allocation, he shows the consequences of decisions for nature, communities, agriculture, and industry. He also examines how political decisions, social pressures, and economic priorities shape who has access to water and who does not. The findings support a sustainable approach to water management — one that serves researchers, policymakers, and practitioners seeking to protect communities, ecosystems, and global peace.

Before commencing his PhD, Lars worked as a researcher at the Stockholm Resilience Centre, focusing on water resilience and freshwater requirements to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. Alongside his research activities, Lars serves as an advisor on water infrastructure, climate change adaptation, and governance transformations.