Ulrike Dackermann

Dr. Ulrike Dackermann is a Lecturer in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UNSW and a member of the Centre for Infrastructure, Engineering and Safety (CIES). She joined UNSW in 2017 after serving as a lecturer at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) from 2014. Her expertise spans Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), Non-Destructive Testing & Evaluation (NDT&E), Hybrid Timber Structures, and AI-driven data analytics. Dr. Dackermann holds a PhD in Civil Engineering (UTS, 2010) and an MSc from TU Munich (2003).

Her research focuses on advancing smart SHM systems using AI, signal processing, and data fusion. Notable projects include developing damage assessment methods for the Sydney Harbour Bridge and crowd monitoring for pedestrian bridges. She also collaborates with AusGrid on AI-based tools for timber pole inspection. Her work on hybrid timber structures explores their dynamic behavior and long-term performance under pedestrian vibrations.

• Research Interests: SHM, NDT&E, timber structures, AI, modal analysis, guided wave analysis.
• Affiliations: Deputy Editor of the Australian Journal of Civil Engineering, member of ANSHM, CRESTIMB, and multiple international engineering consortia.
• Grants: ARC Linkage Project (2023–2026), Australia-Germany Joint Research (2018–2019), and multiple UTS grants.
• Teaching: Courses include Structural Dynamics, Sustainable Timber Engineering, and Bridge Engineering.

Dr. Dackermann’s research addresses both technical and societal challenges, such as her volunteer work with Engineers Without Borders to design energy-efficient stoves in Nepal and Tanzania. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates hands-on engineering solutions with global impact.