Keller Ground Engineering is co-sponsoring with the Royal Academy of Engineering [RAEng] a new research chair in environmental engineering at Queens University, Belfast.
The research, which will be led by Professor Robert M. Kalin of the School of Civil Engineering, will have far reaching implications for the integration of civil engineering processes with the protection of the environment.
Particular attention in the research will be paid to linking ground engineering to the long term remediation of contaminated land and ground water; waste management and waste water treatment.
There are currently sixty researchers in the School of Civil Engineering at the University working in the area of environmental engineering. They are focussing on the protection of the soil and water environment, pollution protection and control techniques for monitoring the natural and built environment.
Professor Kalin is widely regarded as one of the UK and Europe’s foremost authorities on in situ remediation technologies and has been involved in a variety of projects within Europe, the USA, the Far East and Middle East.
In his new five year post Professor Kalin will seek to bring together academic and industrial expertise to help support a Centre of Excellence in key emerging inter-disciplinary areas that link civil engineering with science.
Keller’s UK Managing Director Dr. Alan Bell, explained that whilst Keller is already involved with Queens in pioneering the use of Permeable Reactive Barriers on contaminated sites in the UK, the new research will help develop further the use of sustainable, environmental engineering processes.
“Queens provides an excellent balance between cutting edge research and practical applications in teaching and research” says Bell, “The new initiative will not only help to keep us at the forefront of the industry it also maintains our fruitful links with the University.
Commenting on his research Professor Kalin said he was delighted to accept the challenges which lay ahead “ this research chair will enable Queens and Northern Ireland to lead the way on international efforts to find novel and exciting new solutions to environmental problems.”
“ We were delighted to support Professor Kalin in his new post” said Rob Barrett of the Royal Academy of Engineering “this scheme is unique in bringing together academia and industry to fund and promote leading edge engineering research”.
Notes to Editor
Research chairs are full time professorial appointments, in any engineering-related subject.
Founded in 1976, The Royal Academy of Engineering is based in London and promotes the engineering and technological welfare of the country. Our fellowship – comprising the UK’s most eminent engineers – provides the leadership and expertise for our activities, which focus on the relationships between engineering, technology and the quality of life. As a national academy, we provide independent and impartial advice to Government; work to secure the next generation of engineers; and provide a voice for Britain’s engineering community.
Keller Ground Engineering is the UK division of Keller Group plc, the worlds largest ground engineering contractor. In the UK and Ireland, Keller specialises in the design and construction of ground engineering solutions and offers a full range of services including piling, ground improvement geo-environmental, earth retaining solutions, ground water control, and deep soil mixing.
The School of Civil Engineering at Queen’s is among the oldest in the UK. In the recent Times Good University Guide 2006, Queen’s was placed third, behind Cardiff and Bristol Universities.