By Izabela Gajewska
On behalf of the Institute of Corrosion, Izabela Gajewska, MICorr, and Eilidh MacDonald, MICorr, had the privilege of attending the Smeatonian Society of Civil Engineers’ Discussion Dinner on 27th November 2024 at the iconic One Great George Street, headquarters of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).
This marked the first time in history that younger members of ICorr participated in the Smeatonian Discussion Dinner. It is hoped that this will be the beginning of a lasting relationship between the Institute of Corrosion and the Smeatonian Society.
Founded in 1771, the Smeatonian Society remains a key hub for regular insightful engineering discussions, generally over a meal.
These discussions take the form of an introductory presentation followed by group discussions which are summarised to the gathering by rapporteurs. Traditionally, meetings take place on the last Wednesday of January, March, April, October, and November, with adjustments to avoid holiday conflicts. The October meeting is normally a lunch; all other meetings are dinners with a variety of formats.
At Discussion Dinner, a member or guest is invited to speak on a topical subject and lead a discussion under the Chatham House Rule. The Society’s meetings do not seek to replicate meetings of the Royal Academy of Engineering or those of the engineering institutions. Topics for discussions are normally on matters of general engineering interest or wider societal subjects.
The recent discussion evening focused on the challenges and opportunities facing engineering today, with a strong emphasis on Materials Engineering, a topic less familiar to many Smeatonians, introduced by Stephen Shapcott, the recipient of this year’s prestigious Smeaton Medal.
The discussions highlighted how materials engineering plays a vital but often underappreciated role in solving today’s pressing issues. A key takeaway was the need to move beyond simply sharing ideas across disciplines and industries, and instead fully integrate them to create more cohesive and impactful solutions. There was also a significant focus on inspiring future engineers through modernised education, including updates to programmes that incorporate cutting-edge materials science and sustainability topics to better reflect current industry needs, and promoting sustainability through smarter, more efficient materials.
Lastly, the discussion focused on how industries can better leverage advances in materials science, particularly in the context of urgent climate action. This includes investing in innovative corrosion resistant materials like graphene for energy storage and fostering stronger collaboration with research institutions to stay at the forefront of developments. However, even commonly used materials require continuous innovation, especially in areas like reuse and recycling, to create a more sustainable future.
Rod Muttram, Honorary Treasurer of The Smeatonian Society of Civil Engineers, expressed his gratitude to Stephen Shapcott for expanding and sharing knowledge, a tradition that has been central to the Society for over 250 years!
For more information about the Smeatonian Society, you can watch the YouTube video they commissioned for the 300th anniversary of Smeaton at www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhfzCcPuofY and visit their official website at www.smeatonians.org
Photo: Izabela Gajewska (Left) and Eilidh MacDonald (Right) Pictured at the Dinner in the Smeaton Room of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), One Great George Street, Westminster, London.
Photo: The Entrance to Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), One Great George Street, Westminster, London.
