Ph.D. Candidate Cameron Flude among recipients of the 2023 Engineers Canada-Manulife Scholarship

Congratulations to Carleton University’s Civil Engineering Ph.D. candidate Cameron Flude, for winning the 2023 Engineers Canada-Manulife Scholarship. The Manulife Scholarship program is awarded to three recipients annually, in the amount of $12,500 each, to provide financial support to engineers returning to university for further studies.

“I am very honored to receive this award because it ties together my consulting experience with my current research. I have found the experience I gained as a practicing engineer has been very valuable in my schoolwork and helps me to see the practicality and applicability of my research.”
Ph.D. Candidate Cameron Flude

Inspired by a strong desire to shift his career into academia and research, Cameron embarked on an educational journey after 11 years of working as a structural engineer. He started his master’s degree at Carleton University in 2021 and transferred to the Ph.D. program in 2022. Cameron grew up in Kingston, Ontario and received his undergraduate degree from Queen’s University in 2010.

Cameron’s graduate research focuses on the seismic performance of non-structural building components and specifically suspended ceilings. When people think of the destruction from earthquakes, they typically think of buildings collapsing due to damage to the structural elements. However, the non-structural components within buildings (e.g., partition walls, mechanical equipment, shelving units, etc.) are susceptible to damage even during earthquakes that do not damage the structure of the building. Damage to non-structural components can be hazardous to occupants of the building and can also cause large financial losses. Because different types of buildings have different responses to earthquakes this can have an impact on how the non-structural components perform. His research will look at how suspended ceilings perform when subjected to earthquake motions from different types of buildings.

After the completion of his doctoral studies, Cameron looks to establish a career in structural engineering research, at Carleton University or the National Research Council.

Cameron and his wife have two kids who add elements of challenge and fun to his graduate studies. Outside his graduate studies, Cameron enjoys playing sports, camping, travelling, and playing with his kids.

“I would like to acknowledge all the support I’ve received and continue to receive from so many people including my supervisors, my previous supervisors at work, my family, and most of all from my wife. Without her support and sacrifices I would not be able to continue to pursue this path.”
Ph.D. candidate Cameron Flude