William Powrie

William Powrie is Professor of Geotechnical Engineering at the University of Southampton and former Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and the Environment (2010-2018). He authored the seminal textbook 'Soil Mechanics: Concepts and Applications' and chairs HS2's Independent Geotechnical Expert Panel.

Research focuses on geotechnical challenges in transportation infrastructure including railway track behavior, earthworks, tunneling, and groundwater control. His work applies soil mechanics principles to complex materials like landfilled waste and railway ballast. As Convenor of the UK Collaboratorium for Research on Infrastructure and Cities (UKCRIC) and leader of UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN), he coordinates national infrastructure research initiatives.

Recent publications emphasize experimental and numerical investigations of infrastructure performance, particularly railway geotechnics and sustainable construction practices. Awards and honors include Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Engineering (2009), British Geotechnical Association Medal (2017, 2021), and invited lectureships worldwide. Current research projects receive support from EPSRC, Network Rail, and HS2.

Advises multiple PhD students including Akeem Faniran, Benjamin Robert Lee, and Tracey Anne Najafpour Navaei. Leads the iPACT network developing infrastructure solutions for coastal communities.