The Australian Geomechanics Society (AGS) is pleased to announce that Professor Anna Giacomini of the University of Newcastle is the winner of our prestigious 2023 EH Davis Memorial Lecture Award.
This biennial lecture commemorates the work in geomechanics by Professor Edward Hughesdon Davis, a pioneer of geomechanics in Australia. He perceived that progress and understanding of the theoretical basis of geomechanics would only come if consistent, sound, but simple models of soil behaviour were used. The two topics that were the central focus of his research were the application of the theory of elasticity to foundation deformation and the theory of plasticity to stability. The EH Davis Award lecturer is a person selected by the National Committee as having made a distinguished recent advancement to geomechanics knowledge in Australia.
Prof Anna Giacomini has contributed immensely to the field of rock engineering with special reference to rock mass instability and rockfall mechanisms, and she is internationally renowned for her work that has made significant industry impact and scientific advancement in this field. Prof Giacomini’s original contributions to rockfall analysis are well-known both nationally and worldwide, and they have been a hallmark for the protection of vital transport corridors along the Australian coastline communities exposed to rockfall hazards; and the corresponding engineering solutions have contributed to substantial socio-economic benefits. Prof Giacomini’s pioneering research has also led to rigorous design approaches and prudent guidance on rockfall management strategies, in order to protect our communities in congested coastal areas, as well as to safeguard critical infrastructure from extensive damage. She has successfully translated her research experience to transform industry culture not only in Civil/Geotechnical Engineering but also within the Australian mining sector where jointed rock instability has been a grave concern.
Prof Giacomini is among the very few rock mechanics professionals who have been elected as an ATSE Fellow, and a deserving winner of John Booker Medal (2019), IACMAG’s Excellent Regional Contributions Award, NSW Premier’s Prize for Science & Engineering (2022), and 2019 Best Practice Industry Engagement Award she had received from the Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources. Since Prof. Giacomini became the leader of the Priority Research Centre for Geotechnical Science and Engineering (PRCGSE) at the University of Newcastle in 2019, she has been tireless in encouraging her colleagues to continue delivering world-class research and training within industry-based research projects, extending high-level collaborations with regional and national industries, community partners and international networks.
The AGS will now work with Prof. Giacomini to present a national lecture tour in 2025.