In episode 093 of The Civil Engineering Podcast, I talk with Professor Lord Robert Mair about important factors around preparing civil engineering for the future. Professor Lord Robert Mair is an Emeritus Professor of Civil Engineering at Cambridge University and the current President of the UK Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE). This is the first of a 3-part Global Sustainability series that will both introduce you to and focus on the Global Engineering Congress 2018, taking place 22 - 26 October 2018 in London at the Headquarters of the Institution of Civil Engineering. Here are some of the questions I ask Lord Robert Mair: For our audience outside the U.K., please tell us a little bit about the Institution of Civil Engineers. What is your strategy for preparing civil engineering for the future? What are your thoughts about the future of infrastructure delivery? In October of this year, the Global Engineering Congress will take place at ICE’s headquarters in London. Why is this event important to the civil engineering profession? What role does civil engineering play in furthering the achievement of their associated goals? How did you become interested in tunneling and underground construction? What has been the most challenging project you’ve worked on and why? What are the impacts you would like to see civil engineers today strive towards leaving for the engineers celebrating the 400th anniversary of ICE? Engineering Quotes: Here are some key points discussed on preparing civil engineering for the future: The Institution of Civil Engineers was founded 200 years ago this year. It is the oldest professional body of engineers in the world and fulfills a number of functions. Due to the digital revolution and new technologies that have evolved, there are now many opportunities for Civil Engineering professionals to change what they do, and how they do things. It has been widely recognized that the way in which Civil Engineering infrastructure has been delivered is not entirely satisfactory. There is a real need to involve, at the very onset of a project, the client, the client’s designer, the delivering party, the contractor working together from the beginning to determine the best way in delivering the infrastructure project. The Global Engineering Congress that will take place at ICE’s headquarters in London is a very important recognition. It will be the 50th anniversary of the world federation of engineering organizations. What we all need to recognize is that there are still huge global problems out there in the world. This Global Engineering Congress is about bringing together the experts of the world in civil engineering and in other disciplines to determine how civil engineers can solve these problems. These problems are crucially important to the future of our planet and if any profession is going to fix these problems, it will be the civil engineering profession. I think what civil engineers will be celebrating in the next 200 years will be the way modern technology can streamline the way in which our infrastructure is being delivered and performing as an asset management operation. There are many people out there that know a great deal about civil engineering. If you can identify who they are, then you will advance well in your career. About Professor Lord Robert Mair Professor Lord Robert Mair is the Emeritus Professor of Civil Engineering at Cambridge University, where until recently he was the Sir Kirby Laing Professor of Civil Engineering and Head of Civil Engineering. He was Master of Jesus College 2001-2011 and Senior Vice-President of the Royal Academy of Engineering 2008-2011. Before he was appointed to a Professorship at Cambridge in 1998 he worked in the in...