Two Strathclyde energy experts have been announced as Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering.
Professors Zoe Shipton and Feargal Brennan are among 74 new Fellows inducted into the UK’s national academy of engineering which delivers public benefit from engineering excellence and technology innovation.
The group consists of 60 Fellows, nine International Fellows and five Honorary Fellows, who are drawn from every specialism within engineering and technology.
Energy transition
Professor of Geological Engineering at the University of Strathclyde, Zoe Shipton collaborates with scientists, engineers and social scientists to deliver subsurface solutions for the energy transition. Professor Shipton, who was Head of the University's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering for four years until 2020, said: “Behind any individual honour is a host of supportive colleagues, students, family and friends, and I am humbled to have been elected a Fellow and look forward to contributing an interdisciplinary perspective.
“Facing up to today’s global challenges - climate change, resource scarcity, inequality - requires engineering solutions that are embedded in a deep understanding of their impacts on, and benefits to, society.”
Climate change
Professor Brennan, from the University’s Naval Architecture, Ocean and Marine Engineering Department, is Professor of Offshore Engineering at Strathclyde. He is also Research Director of the Wind & Marine Systems and Structures Centre for Doctoral Training, and a Director and the Offshore Wind Champion for the EPSRC Supergen Offshore Renewable Energy Programme.
He said: “This is a wonderful recognition not just for me but also of my many colleagues, students and partners who have, and continue to work with me on numerous offshore renewable energy initiatives.
“I’m looking forward to being part of the prestigious Royal Academy of Engineering, in particular to further our efforts to mitigate against climate change and towards a sustainable, affordable reliable and resilient energy future.”
Strategic goal
The new Fellows will be formally admitted to the Academy at a special ceremony in London on 18 November. In joining the Fellowship, they will lend their unique capabilities to achieving the Academy’s overarching strategic goal to engineer better lives.
Sir John Lazar CBE FREng, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said: “As we approach our 50th anniversary next year it’s a good time to reflect on how much we have achieved. The Academy is built on the foundation of our Fellowship, and that remains as true today as half a century ago.
"Our story began as a ‘Fellowship of Engineering’ of 130 Fellows including such pioneers as Air Commodore Sir Frank Whittle, Lord Hinton of Bankside and Sir Ove Arup, driven by the support of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.”
The Academy, formed almost five decades ago, offers expert advice to government, in the UK and beyond, and has around 1,700 members.
Each year, up to 60 Fellows are typically elected to the Fellowship as well as up to 10 International and five Honorary Fellows, in recognition of their outstanding and continuing contributions to the profession. New Fellows are nominated and elected by existing Fellows.