Attending the Rankine Lecture at Imperial College London is always a privilege, and this year was masterfully presented by Professor William Powrie. The event serves as an annual reunion for the UK geotechnical community, providing an opportunity to reconnect with old colleagues, engage with academia, and build new relationships across the industry.
This year’s pre-Rankine seminar was particularly special as it celebrated the remarkable career of Professor John Burland on his 90th birthday. Known for his role in stabilising the Leaning Tower of Pisa, John’s legacy was highlighted through an afternoon filled with insightful and entertaining reflections on a career extraordinarily well lived.
A memorable moment was a photograph of Professor Burland alongside our founder, Fritz Wagener, captured in their graduation attire nearly 70 years ago.
