Appreciating new potential: Professor Réne De Borst.

Issued: Thu, 27 Jun 2013 12:30:00 BST

As the holder of the new Regius Chair of Civil Engineering & Mechanics at Glasgow, Professor René De Borst plans to pursue world-class research and inspire a new generation of scientists and engineers.

Professor De Borst arrived in Glasgow in January 2012, following an impressive international career both within academia and across industries. Now he is relishing the opportunity to get back to the basics of fundamental research and teaching.

‘Glasgow is still very science driven compared to some other places, which is great,’ says Professor De Borst. ‘Here I have the opportunity to pursue my own ideas, to create a pool of knowledge that can be built on in the future.’

Originally having trained as a civil engineer, Professor De Borst’s career has taken him through the fields of aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering and structural engineering, as well as through periods of high-profile consultancy.

Projects have included the simulation and analysis of innovative open dams in the south-west of the Netherlands, designed to protect the area from flooding while also preserving the wildlife and environment, and he has worked throughout Europe and in the US, often combining academic research with industrial applications.

‘A long-standing and evolving interest of mine is to look into the failure of materials in structures,’ explains Professor De Borst. ‘This is really my specialty, to be able to simulate, to compute, when a material or a structure will fail.’

These simulation techniques are relevant to problems in a wide variety of subject areas, giving rise to numerous potential collaborations. Professor De Borst first plans to apply his knowledge to problems in physics and biology, and his interdisciplinary approach also applies to potential students in the field.

‘I have always had students from a range of backgrounds,’ says Professor De Borst. ‘I’ve had students with a mathematics background, or physics or engineering. The main requirement is for people to be highly motivated and interested.’

After only six months at the University, Professor De Borst already has a high opinion of the students as well as the staff. ‘The students found my course difficult, and it was difficult – I’m sure I’ve not made it easy for them. But they saw the relevance and they were very motivated and they went for it. And this is something I appreciate.’

Professor De Borst has a number of studentships available, as well as some more applied opportunities with industry funding. He believes that a hands-on approach to postgraduate research and supervision is essential, and would encourage anyone interested in postgraduate research to get in touch. ‘Glasgow has the kind of environment that allows you to think,’ says Professor De Borst. ‘There is a really positive attitude here.’

Related pages

• Prof Rene De Borst
• Infrastructure and Environment
• School of Engineering
• College of Science and Engineering