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Congratulations to Dr. Jean Hutchinson, who has been elected as a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE). 

The CAE comprises many of the country’s most accomplished engineers, who have expressed their dedication to the application of science and engineering principles in the interests of the country and its enterprises. Fellows of the Academy are nominated and elected by their peers, in view of their distinguished achievements and career-long service to the engineering profession. 

Dr. Hutchinson is very deserving of this honour not only for her national and international work, but also for her reputation on assessing and managing the risks associated with natural hazards.

The citation for the award reads:
"D. Jean Hutchinson, Geological Engineering Professor, ³ÉÈË´óƬ, is a nationally and internationally recognized researcher in rock engineering, volunteers with technical societies nationally and internationally, and is a well-respected educator. Recognition includes awards (7) and medals (3) in these areas, including the 2019 Glossop Medal from the Geological Society of London. Dr. Hutchinson and her team pioneered the use of new engineering approaches to support risk based decision making and rock slope stability assessment using remote sensing. Dr. Hutchinson actively promotes women in STEM and is pleased to work in a department where faculty and students are at gender parity."

Dr. Hutchinson notes, "It is my great pleasure and honour to be elected to the Canadian Academy of Engineering, which engages engineering excellence across many sectors and with diverse perspectives. I look forward to contributing to the CAE’s efforts to promote and lead responsible and transformative engineering contributions to society, considering environmental, societal and economic sustainability."

Dr. Hutchinson's most recent research applies novel tools such as remote sensing data collection on large and remote rock slopes, machine learning to analyse data streams and game engine based numerical simulation to assess and simulate rock slope hazards along rail corridors. A key consideration is the continued attention to developing the geological model central to understanding the data and possible future stability scenarios for these sites.

Dr. Hutchinson teaches a number of undergraduate and graduate courses within the department and for professional, technical societies. As one example, Jean leads the field synthesis course for the Masters of Earth Energy Resources Leadership program where students and faculty travel through the Rocky Mountains, completing a circuit between Calgary and the interior of British Columbia, learning about the complex geological settings, natural resource potential, history and current best and emerging practices for resource management, extraction and sustainability, all while actively engaging in implications for and engagement with stakeholders, including first nations communities.

Dr. Hutchinson was also recently named the 2020 Glossop Medal Winner by the , and presented her Glossop Lecture in November 2019, in London England. 

Further information including the official press release can be found on the .