Benjamin L. Ruddell, Ph.D.
Dr. Ruddell holds a Ph.D. (2008) in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is a contributing member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Geophysical Union, where he serves on technical and educational committees and contributes to advancing knowledge in these professional communities through research. As an engineering professor, he has taught courses in water engineering and secured competitively awarded research funding for successful water sector research projects. He has testified before the Arizona Corporation Commission on urban water and energy policy issues, worked with municipalities and state agencies on water resource policy and management problems, and published on water topics in numerous scientific journals, conferences, and books. His expertise in the water sector is broad, ranging from theoretical scientific research, to engineering and policy applications of science, to science communication and education, and to market-based and private sector innovation to create value by solving water, energy, and climate problems.
Expertise
Engineering
- Innovative practices for water supply and water resource problems
- Integrated green-building solutions for water and energy efficiency
- Urban microclimate management solutions
- Land development strategies to achieve water and energy efficiency
- Land use management to achieve watershed and climate management goals
Science and Policy
- Embedded Resource Accounting methodology for resource assessments (custom water footprints)
- Expertise on the “energy-water nexus” linking energy and water supply and efficiency
- Landscaping and vegetation as a tool to achieve urban energy and livability goals
- Expert testimony
- Custom scientific analysis and research
- Communication of science to public and stakeholder communities
Business and Value
- Market-based water resource management solutions
- Assessing water transfers and transactions
- Measuring and monetizing water-related ecosystem services
- Proposal development and public/private sector team building
- Translating cutting-edge research to address problems in novel ways
- Identifying new market opportunities to invest in solutions to water problems