Ziggy Lubkowski

Associate director and global geo-seismic skills leader, Arup

Expertise

Design, Geotechnical

Location

United Kingdom

My highlights

Awarded the role of visiting professor in geotechnical earthquake engineering at UCL

Awarded the 2009 Shamsher Prakash prize for excellence in practice in geotechnical earthquake engineering

Appointed chair of the UK Society for Earthquakes and Civil Engineering Dynamics (SECED)

A day in my life

That depends on what projects I'm working on.

Undoubtedly, there will be virtual or in-person meetings, and perhaps I'll provide advice to clients or support junior members of staff.

I may undertake research on the seismicity (frequency of earthquakes) of a particular region or provide an interview for broadcast media following a major earthquake.

The variety of projects and the international nature is what excites me about my job.

The unfortunate reality is that the cheapest tenders usually win. Value should be measured in terms of the long-term resilience and sustainability of the built environment and not just the upfront cost.

Which individual project or person inspired you to become a civil engineer?

From a young age, I was always interested in building and repairing things. I learned a lot from my father doing stuff around our home.

We asked Ziggy…

I would recommend a career in civil engineering because…

…very simply, your work changes lives for the better.

Complete this phrase: I’m a civil engineer, but I’m also…

…a seismic expert.

What about being a civil engineer gets you out of bed each morning?

Knowing that the work I do can make a difference to people’s lives.

What’s one great thing that you love about civil engineering that you didn’t know until you started working in the industry?

The influence you can have on large communities and regions.

Which civil engineering project (past or present) do you wish you’d worked on?

I would love to have seen how the great pyramids in Egypt were built!

What’s the best thing about being professionally qualified with the ICE? 

International recognition.

Do you have any hobbies?

Spending time with family, DIY, golf, and theatre.

Ziggy's career path

1987 - BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering
1987 - Graduate engineer at Building Design Partnership
1990 - Started as seismic engineer, now associate director at Arup
1996 - MSc in Earthquake Engineering
2018 - Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) visiting professor in geotechnical earthquake engineering