Verulam (readers' letters – August 2026)

This month's letters discuss foundations in shrinkable ground and highlight a survey on structural optimisation in practice.

Shalini Jagnarine-Azan describes how the impact of a heating planet is already being felt by islands in the Caribbean, and discusses the challenges of trying to build back more resiliently following a disaster.

Niamh McCloskey reflects on her personal experience of the challenging reality of returning to work after maternity leave, questioning whether workplaces truly support women in this transition and highlighting how, with the right support and recognition of the new perspectives and skills that motherhood can bring, we can retain mothers and allow them to thrive in underrepresented industries.