A pioneering civil engineer has been awarded an honorary degree from Heriot-Watt University.
Professor Anusha Shah made history as the first person of colour and only the third woman in more than 200 years to become President of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), the profession’s global membership body, founded in 1818.
Heriot-Watt explained that the honorary degree recognises Professor Shah as an inspirational example of the engineering profession’s strength of diversity and a global role model for championing sustainable, resilient, and inclusive infrastructure.
Professor Shah will be presented with the academic title of doctor of engineering during the Winter graduation ceremonies being held next week on Heriot-Watt’s Edinburgh Campus.
As the 159th President of ICE from November 2023 to November 2024, Professor Shah promoted both the sustainability of civil infrastructure, nature, and people positive infrastructure, particularly ‘nature based solutions.’ This involves working with nature to address societal challenges – for example, harnessing the carbon-absorbing power of forests, peatlands, mangroves and oceans to help address climate change.
Born in India, Professor Shah is also a senior director for resilient cities and UK climate adaptation lead for design and engineering consultancy Arcadis in London. Her other roles include non-executive director for the UK Met Office, trustee at environmental charity and think tank, the Green Alliance, and visiting professor at the University of Edinburgh.
Also a past chair of the Thames Estuary board, Professor Shah has more than 24 years’ experience in designing, managing and leading water, environment and wider infrastructure projects in the UK and globally.
Professor Shah has contributed to several national and international articles and reports on water, climate change, equity and inclusion topics, and has won multiple awards – including the UK’s Top 50 Women Engineers in Sustainability and the Inspiring Engineers Award from the Civil Engineering Contractors Association.
Her support for Heriot-Watt University has included inaugurating an international symposium at the university this year celebrating 18th century civil engineer John Smeaton, known as the ‘father of civil engineering’. Professor Shah also inaugurated a new lab at Heriot-Watt’s school of energy, geoscience, infrastructure, and society.
Professor Shah will receive her award at the University’s James Watt Centre in front of fellow graduands. She said, “To receive the highest accolade from an esteemed university with a global presence is a huge honour and very humbling. I am excited to join the Heriot-Watt family, which is at the forefront of cutting-edge research and innovation in addressing real-world infrastructure challenges.”
Professor Richard A. Williams, principal and vice-chancellor of Heriot-Watt University, added, “It is a huge honour to welcome such an esteemed civil engineer and ICE immediate past president to our honorary graduate community.
“Professor Shah’s dedication to sustainable, resilient, and inclusive infrastructure is a beacon for the construction and engineering industries as the world adapts to climate change. Her achievements in a profession still dominated by men also make her a fantastic role model for the next generation of female civil engineers and environmental students. Professor Shah has already been of great support to our own community of civil engineers at Heriot-Watt – and we look forward to developing these connections further. Congratulations on your award.”
