British Geotechnical Association
The BGA is the UK's main association for geotechnical engineers, organising key events annually.
- Date
- 07 October 2025
- Time
This event has now ended
Overview
The BGA Annual Dinner is an important date in the BGA’s annual calendar of events. This prestigious occasion will bring together the geotechnical community for an evening of fine food, socializing and networking.
The 3rd BGA Annual Dinner will feature a captivating lecture by Professor Dame Sarah Springman DBE FREng, titled "From Beaches to the Alps & Home Again: a Story of Geotechnical Engineering, Sport & Leadership." From building sandcastles to working on major international infrastructure projects, Sarah’s journey in geotechnical engineering spans continents and careers. A Cambridge graduate, she worked on landmark projects in Australia and Fiji before returning to academia, ultimately becoming Rector at ETH Zurich and now Principal of St Hilda’s College, Oxford.
Alongside her engineering achievements, Sarah has represented multiple countries as an elite athlete and played a pivotal role in triathlon’s inclusion in major international competitions. Her story promises a unique blend of engineering excellence, athletic ambition, and visionary leadership.
The lecture will only be open to those attending the dinner.
Advance booking is required for the BGA Annual Dinner and Lecture, which includes the presentation, a drinks reception, and a three-course dinner.
The Lecture and Dinner are open to BGA members and non-members alike.
Details of BGA Annual Dinner and Lecture
Dress Code: Lounge Suits
Commences with a drinks reception at 18:00.
Carriages: 22:30
Tickets are limited, book your space today!
Reserve your place using the ‘Book now’ button. An invoice will be sent after booking to request payment.
Sponsorship opportunities available – Showcase your brand to a targeted audience of industry professionals. To learn more, please email Kate Beardsley, [email protected]
Prices
Dinner fees:
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| BGA Member | £120 |
| BGA Member under 35 years of age | £80 |
| Non-Member BGA | £150 |
| BGA Member table of 10 | £1200 |
Speaker
Professor Dame Sarah Springman DBE, FREng
St Hilda’s College, University of Oxford
Principal
Read more
Professor Dame Sarah Springman DBE, FREng
Professor Dame Sarah Springman DBE, FREng, is the Principal at St Hilda’s College, University of Oxford. Sarah was educated at Wycombe Abbey and Girton College, Cambridge. She read for an MPhil (St Catharine’s) and a PhD (Magdalene) in Soil Mechanics and became the first female Research Fellow at Magdalene College, Cambridge.
In 1997, Sarah moved to ETH Zurich, Switzerland, becoming the first female Professor of Geotechnical Engineering in Western Europe and the first female Professor of Civil Engineering in Switzerland. Her expertise lies in soil-structure interaction and geotechnical aspects of natural hazards. Sarah was Rector of the university from 2015 to 2021.
Sarah was also a high-performance athlete, representing Great Britain and Northern Ireland in triathlon from 1984-1993. Elected Vice-President of World Triathlon (ITU), serving until 1996, she lobbied for triathlon to become a recognised sport in both the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games, writing the women’s action plan for Triathlon: ‘to achieve equality of opportunity, recognition and reward’. For her work in sport, she was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Sky Sports Awards in 2013.
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