- Professor Joby Boxall is one of five academics from the University of Sheffield have been elected to the Royal Academy of Engineering in recognition of their outstanding contributions to engineering and technology
- The Royal Academy of Engineering is one of the world’s leading engineering institutions, with Fellows being elected each year by peer-review
- The University of Sheffield has more engineers being elected this year than any other UK university, along with Imperial College London
- Five is believed to be the highest number of academics elected from Sheffield at any one time
Professor Joby Boxall is a leading international authority on urban water engineering and is recognised for his research on drinking water distribution systems infrastructure. He provides industry and society with sustainable engineering solutions by developing new fundamental understanding and evidencing it experimentally. He has major influence in the fields of water quality, leakage and asset management for water distribution systems. His approach is founded on interdisciplinary research and close collaborative partnerships across the water sector. The main impact of his research is on preventative maintenance ahead of failure. This includes over £400 million in efficiency savings and service improvements for trunk main applications 2014-2020, international best practices and engineering analysis software and tools.
I am delighted and honoured to have been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. It is fantastic to have my achievements and the impact of my research recognised at this highest level.
Professor Joby Boxall
Professor of Water Infrastructure Engineering at the Department of Civil and Structural Engineering
The Academy is one of the world’s leading engineering institutions. It brings together some of the best engineering researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, business and industry leaders through its Fellowship, which elects new Fellows each year by peer-review in recognition of their outstanding and continuing contributions to the profession.
This year sees five engineers elected from Sheffield - more than any other university in the UK along with Imperial College London. It is believed to be the highest number of academics elected from Sheffield at any one time.
Sheffield’s engineers will be formally admitted to the Academy at a special ceremony in London on 28 November 2023. In joining the Fellowship, the academics will lend their unique capabilities to achieving the Academy’s overarching strategic goal - to harness the power of engineering to create a sustainable society and an inclusive economy for all.
Professor Koen Lamberts, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, said: “It is fantastic that so many researchers from Sheffield have been elected to the Royal Academy of Engineering this year. Engineering has always been a significant part of the University of Sheffield's identity, and our academics are known around the world for their engineering research and expertise.
“I am delighted that the Academy has recognised the outstanding dedication, hard work and skills of our engineers, and the positive impact their research has on society.”
Professor Conchúr Ó Brádaigh, Vice-President for Engineering at the University of Sheffield, said: “The University of Sheffield is one of the biggest providers of engineering research and education in the UK, and this award illustrates just how well regarded our engineers are, not only in academia, but throughout industry.
“Engineering has a crucial role to play in some of the major challenges of our time and I’m delighted that the work our engineers are doing as part of this has been recognised by the Academy.”
You can read the University’s full press release here.