IROE Chair and SMMI Deputy Director, Susan Gourvenec, featured as one of 50 Fellows as Royal Academy of Engineering celebrates 50th anniversary!

Formed on 11 June 1976 at Buckingham Palace, in a gathering convened by HRH Prince Philip, the Royal Academy of Engineering has a 50-year history of championing engineering, engineers and engineering better lives. In the last decade the Royal Academy of Engineering has made extraordinary progress in raising awareness of the diversity of engineering and how it impacts lives, in the UK and globally, and championing diversity and inclusion across the engineering profession and engineering practices.

IROE Chair & SMMI Deputy Director Susan Gourvenec was selected as one of the 50 Fellows to be selected to mark the 50th anniversary of the Royal Academy of Engineering.

The Academy website highlights their intention to “showcase 50 people whose innovation has helped to tackle some of humanity’s greatest challenges. From radar and telecommunications breakthroughs to cutting-edge AI, wind turbines, and satellites, these engineers have shaped – and continue to shape – our modern world.” The showcase features  Fellows elected in every decade of the Academy’s history, from all across the UK.

Susan’s citation states “As Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technology for Intelligent and Resilient Ocean Engineering at the University of Southampton, Susan’s research focuses on the design and performance of offshore foundations. Her methods have been embedded in international stand ards, shaping engineering practice across the global energy sector.

Susan is known for her multidisciplinary approach, working across engineering, environmental science and the wider sciences to address complex offshore challenges. Her work supports the safe and efficient delivery of critical infrastructure, particularly in renewable energy.

Alongside her research, Susan is a passionate educator and a strong advocate for equality, diversity and inclusion in engineering, actively supporting the next generation of engineers.  She was elected Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2022.”

Susan was also featured along with two other Fellows in an article on how the Academy is supporting the green energy transition, by backing research that drives innovation across the energy ecosystem. Susan talks about the work of the Centre of Excellence for Intelligent & Resilient Ocean Engineering, and the essential interdisciplinary nature of the green energy transition, supported through the Southampton Marine & Maritime Institute.

Explore the history of the RAEng and learn about the 50th anniversary activities . Check out the 50 Fellows showcased for the 50th Anniversary Celebrations.  Read The Engineering special issue to commemorate the RAEng’s 50th Anniversary.