Pre-eminent engineer Andrew Whittaker honoured by University
University of Melbourne alumnus and globally pre-eminent structural engineer Professor Andrew Stuart Whittaker has been conferred a Doctor of Engineering (honoris causa), the University’s highest honour.
Professor Whittaker’s contributions to earthquake and blast engineering have fundamentally advanced the resilience and safety of infrastructure worldwide. His technical contributions have directly shaped international design standards and codes that govern the safety of buildings, nuclear facilities and blast-resistant infrastructure.
Professor Whittaker graduated from the University with a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) in 1977. He commenced his career in Melbourne, gaining practical experience in civil and structural engineering, before pursuing advanced studies at the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned his PhD in 1988, launching his trajectory as one of the most respected figures in structural and earthquake engineering.
Professor Andrew Whittaker. (Picture, supplied).
Following a period of consultancy in San Francisco, he returned to UC Berkeley as Associate Director of the Earthquake Engineering Research Center (1992–2000) – one of the nation’s two leading research hubs in the field.
Then, at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York, he rose through the ranks to become SUNY Distinguished Professor in 2018 – the highest academic honour conferred by that University.
Dean of the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, Professor Thas Nirmalathas, said Professor Whittaker’s career reflects a rare combination of scholarly excellence, real-world impact and international thought leadership, and he has remained an active ambassador for the University, inspiring students and advancing international academic networks.
“Professor Whittaker has maintained strong research collaboration with us, mentoring early-career researchers, co-publishing with our academics and contributing to joint research initiatives in structural and seismic engineering,” Professor Nirmalathas said.
His ongoing engagement has supported capacity-building in engineering resilience across Australia and strengthened the global partnerships of our Faculty.
University of Melbourne Professor Nelson Lam, who leads the Structures and Buildings Discipline in the Department of Infrastructure Engineering, and his University of Melbourne colleague Professor Tuan Ngo, who leads the International Research Network for Decarbonising the Building Industry, have worked closely with Professor Whittaker for many years.
“Professor Whittaker’s ability to integrate fundamental research with practical application has earned him widespread respect from government, industry and academia,” Professor Lam said.
“His influence extends globally through his past roles with the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, the Consortium of Universities for Research in Earthquake Engineering and the World Seismic Safety Initiative, amongst others.”