Watson to lead BRE environment programme

Building science centre BRE has appointed University College London Professor of Engineering Systems Jeremy Watson to lead on its built environment research programme.

The programme, which is the largest of its kind in the UK, is designed to address the many challenges faced by the sector including climate change mitigation, adaption and resource scarcity. It is delivered by BRE and its five BRE Trust- funded University Centres of Excellence which are based in Bath, Cardiff, Strathclyde, Edinburgh and Brasilia. Watson will specifically look at setting strategic research goals around the role of digital in delivering cites of the future as the UK’s and the global population continue to grow and become more urbanised. Built environment resilience will also be a key focus as the extreme effects of climate change continue to threaten our existing built and civil infrastructure.

Watson is concurrently Vice-Dean and Professor of Engineering Systems in the Faculty of Engineering Sciences, working in the Department of Science Technology, Engineering and Public Policy at the University College of London (UCL).

An engineer by training, he has experience as a practitioner and director of pure and applied research and development in industry, the public sector and academia.

Until November 2012, he was Chief Scientific Advisor for the Department of Communities & Local Government (DCLG).
Watson was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s 2013 Birthday honours, for services to engineering.