R. Kerry Rowe

R. Kerry Rowe is a distinguished academic and researcher in the field of geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering. He holds the title of Barrington Batchelor Distinguished University Professor and Canada Research Chair in Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering at Queen’s University’s Department of Civil Engineering (Smith Engineering). His career includes 8 years as Chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at The University of Western Ontario and 10 years as Vice-Principal (Research) at Queen’s University, overseeing all university research activities.

Education includes a BSc in Computer Science and BE in Civil Engineering (University of Sydney, 1973-1975), PhD (1979), D.Eng (1993), and honorary DSc (2016 from Western University). His research focuses on landfill design, geosynthetics, contaminant migration, tailings storage, and reinforced embankments. He has authored over 440 journal papers, three books, and 360 conference papers.

Rowe’s awards include Fellowship in the Royal Society (UK), US National Academy of Engineering, UK Royal Academy of Engineering, Royal Society of Canada, and Canadian Academy of Engineering. He received the Order of Canada for contributions to geoenvironmental engineering. He serves on editorial boards of journals like Geotextiles & Geomembranes and Canadian Geotechnical Journal, and leads international committees like the R. Kerry Rowe Lecture series (ISSMGE).

His work includes over 60 landfill design reviews globally and expert testimony in litigation cases. Current research addresses barrier systems for waste facilities, geosynthetic durability, and sustainable landfill practices aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals.