Carleton Researchers Establish New NSERC CREATE Heritage Engineering Program
Carleton University researchers Mario Santana (Dept. of Civil Engineering) and Stephen Fai (Azrieli School of Architecture) have been awarded a $1.65M, five-year, NSERC CREATE grant to establish a new research, training and internship program for undergraduate and graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. Called “Heritage Engineering” the program is funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council’s Collaborative Research and Training Experience Program, together with $750,000 in additional funding from Carleton University.
Recent advances in laser imaging and building modeling and simulation tools, and the development of new materials and retrofitting techniques, have created an acute need for engineers and architects with an understanding of built heritage conservation principles, a familiarity with 19th and 20th century building materials and construction techniques, and an appreciation of cultural heritage value. Mario and Steve will lead a team of 11 researchers at Carleton University, Université de Montréal and Université de Québec a Montréal in addressing existing gaps in skills and knowledge and developing new methods and technologies to document, conserve and sustain built heritage. The program is supported by 18 collaborators drawn from federal government, public institutions and private industry who will provide training and internship positions to students.
Seven graduate students are enrolled in the NSERC CREATE Heritage Engineering program for 2015-16. In May 2016 those numbers will rise as the next cohort of students join the program and an undergraduate component is added.
One of the key components of the NSERC CREATE program is an annual one-day Heritage Forum at which members of industry, government and institutions discuss gaps and issues in heritage conservation in order to assist students in selecting research topics. This years’ Forum is being held on October 15, 2015 at Carleton University.
For more information, contact Laurie Smith, NSERC CREATE Heritage Engineering Program Coordinator, Laurie.Smith3@Carleton.ca