Back to Previous

Traversing the development sector - IABSE Journey to Success

On April 25 2022 the Institution’s Humanitarian and International Development (HID) Panel hosted “Journey to Success” in collaboration with IABSE (British Group): a panel discussion and mentoring event for early-years professionals interested in working in the development sector.

HID Panel members Al Norris, Seb Kamiski, Raja Narwari and Suzie Cooper joined Siti Jamaludin, Johannes Whittam and co-chairs David Knight and Julia Ratcliffe to share their experiences and insight.   

The panellists came from a variety of backgrounds – with some working full time in the sector from the UK or overseas and others volunteering alongside their UK based jobs  – and illustrated the wide range of roles that a structural engineer might fulfil in this sector.  Discussions covered the understanding, skills, and attitudes to work effectively in this field and how they might be developed in more traditional early-career settings and through self-guided learning.  The informal setting permitted a fascinating and open discussion around the challenges and opportunities of working in the sector.

There was great engagement by all, and conversations continued into the evening – and it is hoped that this can become a regular event.

More information on the panellists can be found here.
 

Related Resources & Events

Training
Construction of Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture

Building for impact: lessons from the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture campus

Building for impact: lessons from the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture campus

This lecture explores the delivery of an award‑winning, earthquake‑resistant project in rural Rwanda, examining context‑specific challenges of working with local materials in a seismic zone while building skills, supply chains, and lasting community impact.
Date – 21 May 2026
Author – Various
Price – Free
Blog
Aerial view of a demolished building site with debris, rubble, and two people walking on the right.

More than a field diary: the role of mission blogs in post-earthquake reconnaissance

More than a field diary: the role of mission blogs in post-earthquake reconnaissance

This blog, from Yasemin D. Aktas (EEFIT Management Committee Chair), discusses the importance of publishing mission journals which can provide a real-time account of the post-disaster recovery process.
Date – 21 April 2026
Author – Yasemin Didem Aktas, UCL
Price – Free
Report
Destroyed buildings and rubble from an earthquake in a mountainous region.

31 August 2025 Eastern Afghanistan earthquake - a joint virtual reconnaissance report

31 August 2025 Eastern Afghanistan earthquake - a joint virtual reconnaissance report

This joint virtual reconniassance report into the magntiude 6.0 31 August 2025 eastern Afghanistan earthquake details the earthquakes impact and aftermath.
Date – 5 March 2026
Author – Rafi, M., Aktas, Y.D., Smars, P. et al.
Price – Free
Manuals

Manual for the design of bamboo structures to ISO 22156:2021

Manual for the design of bamboo structures to ISO 22156:2021

This Manual provides much needed design guidance for the structural use of bamboo, to help this sustainable material be used in accordance with ISO 22156.
Date – 28 November 2025
Author – D Trujillo et al
Price – £34.95
Report
Laser scan of damage to a church

Quantifying masonry construction quality and damage using 3D reality capture data

Quantifying masonry construction quality and damage using 3D reality capture data

This project explored how 3D reality-capture technologies can be used to assess the construction quality and earthquake damage of historic masonry buildings.
Date – 24 November 2025
Author – Sinan Acikgoz
Price – Free
The Structural Engineer
Image showing rescue team in orange and yellow high visibility jackets following an earthquake

Clarity amid catastrophe: the role of structural engineers in urban search and rescue

Clarity amid catastrophe: the role of structural engineers in urban search and rescue

This article introduces the unique and challenging engineering role that structural engineers play within urban search and rescue teams.
Date – 17 November 2025
Author – Matt Penellum, Sivasakthy Selvakumaran, Joshua Macabuag and Mark Scorer
Price – £9.95
Training
A person pointing at a glowing globe

Pan-African Knowledge partnership launch webinar

Pan-African Knowledge partnership launch webinar

Watch the special launch webinar introducing Pan-African structural engineering knowledge partnership.
Date – 26 September 2025
Author – Yasmin Becker, CEO, IStructE; Tendayi Munyebvu, Vice-President, IStructE Trustee Board
Price – Free
A group of houses in a village

Tomorrow Cities - engaging communities in structural resilience: supporting a provincial masterplan

Tomorrow Cities - engaging communities in structural resilience: supporting a provincial masterplan

This lecture introduced the Tomorrow’s Cities Decision Support Environment, a participatory, people-centered approach to risk-informed decision making to help minimise future urban risk creation.
Date – 17 September 2025
Author – Various
Price – Free
Blog
Interior of a historic building

Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre

Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre

Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre received a Structural Award in 2024, bringing international recognition and appreciation of the complex challenges the project team faced—as well as the outstanding result that was achieved. The team reflect one year on.
Date – 27 August 2025
Author – Holmes NZ LP