Professor Susan Gourvenec FREng

Professor Susan Gourvenec is an internationally recognised authority in offshore geotechnical engineering, whose work bridges academic research and industry practice. 

As Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technology for Intelligent and Resilient Ocean Engineering at the University of Southampton, Susan’s research focuses on the design and performance of offshore foundations. Her methods have been embedded in international standards, shaping engineering practice across the global energy sector. 

Susan is known for her multidisciplinary approach, working across engineering, environmental science and the wider sciences to address complex offshore challenges. Her work supports the safe and efficient delivery of critical infrastructure, particularly in renewable energy. 

Alongside her research, Susan is a passionate educator and a strong advocate for equality, diversity and inclusion in engineering, actively supporting the next generation of engineers. 

She was elected Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2022.