Title of project: Strategy study into the changing role of structural engineers in society

Project leader & organisation undertaking research: Prof Ian May (Tel: 0131-451-3158 Email: i.m.may@hw.ac.uk ), Heriot Watt University

Funding body: Institution of Structural Engineers

Funding scheme: Research Fund grant

Synopsis of project: The driving forces of globalisation, the emergence of the knowledge economy, the demand for social accountability and the profound challenges of sustainable development will act, over the foreseeable future and beyond, to further transform a construction industry already undergoing radical change in the face of the post-Egan, 'Modernising Construction' agenda.

To survive and prosper, the industry must seek to engineer a 'soft landing' and establish a strong, competitive and socially valued position, against the turbulent forces of new working practices, new routes to procurement, new demands on performance, new technological innovation and new political and economic agendas which place a premium on ethical business practices and 'more from less'.

Through a process of informed foresighting the team will combine its own deep knowledge and understanding of the construction industry in the UK, Europe and globally, with the expert views of a carefully selected 'panel' of industry leaders to shape a profile of future change facing the structural engineering profession.

It is against this background that the study will be undertaken to identify the changing role of the structural engineer in society and propose ways in which the IStructE could respond to better prepare its members and the profession in anticipation of these changes.

Start date: September 2003

Finish date: July 2004

Deliverables: article for The structural Engineer (2 December 2003, Vol 81, No.22, pages 32-34); workshop; final report (available to members within 'My Area' of website under 'Member Reports'. Summary of recommendations is available in The Structural Engineer (5 October 2004, Vol 82, No.19, pages 27-30)).

URL of project webpage: N/A

Nature of IStructE support: Financial contribution of £30,000; provision of a steering committee; accommodation for steering committee meetings and workshop.