The Institution of Structural Engineers The Institution of Structural Engineers
Structural Futures Committee

Structural Futures Committee

Tag
Author
Date published
Price

Our Structural Futures Committee studies trends that may impact the structural engineering profession and develops related resources and events.

The Committee considers how structural engineering's approach, skills and knowledge base will need to change in response to an evolving industry. This is achieved by working closely with the Engineering Leadership Group to determine strategic priorities: how, where and when to supply members with related resources, training and events. Topics include:

  • Evolving technologies
  • The climate emergency
  • The role of the structural engineer in the future

The Committee also provides direction and oversight to the Digital Workflows and Computational Design Panel.

 

Committee structure:

The constitution of the Committee aims to reflect the diversity of the Institutions membership and to provide different perspectives.

  • Chair
  • Vice Chair
  • Chair of the reporting Panel
  • Up to 28 other members (including members of various grades and those based in different locations)

Get involved:

We invite expressions of interest in Committee membership each September, contacting all members except Student Members.

Members of the Committee are expected to fully participate in supporting and driving the Committee's activities forward.

There are many ways that you can contribute to the activities of the group, and you will be expected to do some work outside the meetings, for example drafting or reviewing guidance and keeping up to date on the latest developments around the topics the Committee is involved with.

The Committee meet four times a year. A maximum of one meeting will be in person at Institution HQ, whilst all other meetings are held online. Online access to meetings is always available.

Contact the committee if you have questions about their work.
 

Contact the committee

Looking for an event or training?

Explore our range of online training, recorded lectures and up and coming events.

Read more

Featured events and resources

The Structural Engineer
Blockchain technology illustration

Rebuilding trust with blockchain technology

Alastair Low-Macrae argues that blockchain technology may hold the key to some of the issues around trust and transparency that the industry is currently grappling with, particularly in the context of BIM.

Date – 1 February 2022
Author – Alastair Low-Macrae
Price – £9.95
Blue abstract blocks

The ACORN, the SQUIRREL and the OAK

The poster of the 2021 Coolest Concrete Award winner, Robin Oval, Postdoctoral Research Associate at University of Cambridge.

Date – 7 February 2022
Author – Robin Oval
Price – Free
Report
Blue abstract blocks

Thin-shell textile reinforced concrete floors for low-carbon buildings

The poster of the 2020 Coolest Concrete Award runner up, Will Hawkins.

Date – 7 February 2022
Author – Will Hawkins
Price – Free
Training
Blue abstract blocks

Circular economy panel debate

A technical debate around practical approaches towards implementing the circular economy within structural engineering and the construction industry.

Date – 7 January 2022
Author – Laura Batty, Andrea Charlson, Penny Gowler and Charlie Wedgwood
Price – 0
The Structural Engineer
<h4>Viewpoint: Embracing probability: could big data spell the end of safety factors as we know them?</h4>

Viewpoint: Embracing probability: could big data spell the end of safety factors as we know them?

Arthur Coates calls on structural engineers to push for the adoption of post-monitoring sensors to provide better data on building performance and, ultimately, more accurate loading predictions.

Date – 31 March 2021
Author – Arthur Coates
Price – £9.95
Blog
View of a complex road junction from above

Should COVID-19 change society's direction of travel?

What we can learn from the COVID-19 pandemic? Kate Leighton gives an opinion from a UK perspective.

Date – 30 March 2020
Author – Kate Leighton FIStructE
Price – 0
Blog
Homes in Goldsmith Street, Norwich

Innovation in house design

Richard Lankshear MIStructE discusses the Stirling Prize winning Goldsmith Street and how evolving home design will require the specialist skills of the structural engineer.

Date – 11 October 2019
Author – Richard Lankshear MIStructE
Price – 0
The Structural Engineer
<h4>Viewpoint: Which way now for codes and standards: Prescription, performance-based or what?</h4>

Viewpoint: Which way now for codes and standards: Prescription, performance-based or what?

Stuart Matthews considers the potential benefits – and difficulties – of developing performance- or outcomes-based codes of practice and standards.

Date – 1 May 2019
Author – Stuart Matthews
Price – £9.95

Explore our training, events and resources to support you throughout your career and membership journey.

Related resources and events

Course
Amesbury School detail

Eurocode 5: the essentials of timber design - October 2025

This one-day, online course offers an introduction to timber design to Eurocode 5.

Date – 20 October 2025
Location – Online
Price – £295 - £445 + VAT
Course
Looking up to glass roof within a building

Understanding structural behaviour - October 2025

This two-day course shows engineers how to arrive at a qualitative solution to both create a structure and check computational results.

Date – 15 October 2025
Location – 47-58 Bastwick St, London, EC1V 3PS
Price – £515 - £765 + VAT
Course
Amesbury School detail

Eurocode 5: the essentials of timber design - June 2025

This one-day, online course offers an introduction to timber design to Eurocode 5.

Date – 9 June 2025
Location – Online
Price – £295 - £445 + VAT
Course
Looking up to glass roof within a building

Understanding structural behaviour - April 2025

This two-day course shows engineers how to arrive at a qualitative solution to both create a structure and check computational results.

Date – 1 April 2025
Location – Online
Price – £515 - £765 + VAT
Lecture
<h4>Network Rail modular, composite flow footbridge</h4>

Network Rail modular, composite flow footbridge

Technical lecture looking at the new modular, composite Network Rail footbridge design

Date – 5 December 2024
Location – Mercure Chester Abbots Well Hotel
Price – Free
Lecture
<h4>Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link - constructing and checking the world's longest immersed tunnel</h4>

Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link - constructing and checking the world's longest immersed tunnel

The Midland Counties Regional Group AGM, student prize award and a presentation on constructing and checking the world's longest immersed tunnel.

Date – 26 November 2024
Location – SYSTRA, 5th Floor, Alpha Tower, Crowne Plaza, Suffolk Street, Birmingham, B1 1TT
Price – Free
Lecture
<h4>AGM, Prize awards & lecture: History of the IStructE Western Counties</h4>

AGM, Prize awards & lecture: History of the IStructE Western Counties

The speakers will review the last 100 years, in particular sharing their memories and interesting facts about the WCRG

Date – 21 November 2024
Location – Bristol University: Pugsley Lecture Theatre
Price – Free
Course
Amesbury School detail

Eurocode 5: the essentials of timber design

This one-day, online course offers an introduction to timber design to Eurocode 5.

Date – 18 November 2024
Location – Online
Price – £295 - £445 + VAT
The Structural Engineer
Side by side graphic and images showing the validation of failure modes

Spotlight on Structures (November/December 2024)

Ana Espinos, Associate Editor, has selected a paper studying the lateral behaviour of a composite concrete-filled steel tubes truss column as the Featured Article for Volume 66 of Structures .

Date – 11 November 2024
Author – The Institution of Structural Engineers
Price – £0