Addressing Climate Risk and Resilience in The North Through Geotechnical Engineering Research

Chinchu Cherian, Ph.D., P.Eng., works as an assistant professor at the University of Northern British Columbia's (UNBC) School of Engineering. Chinchu held positions as a Lecturer and Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of British Columbia's (UBC) School of Engineering before coming to UNBC. Dr. Cherian graduated with a master’s degree in Environmental Geotechnology from the National Institute of Technology Calicut (NITC), and a PhD in Civil Engineering (Geotechnical Engineering) from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM). Chinchu is also active in the Canadian Geotechnical Society, currently serving on the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Task Force and the Education Committee. She is also a member of the current executive committee for the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering Northern BC Section.

Addressing infrastructure challenges in the North of Canada, especially related to climate resilience and adaptability of cold-region roads, requires a multifaceted approach. A comprehensive research study focusing on sustainable geotechnics can significantly contribute to developing more resilient and environmentally friendly solutions for northern communities. This talk will focus on some aspects to consider in such a study, such as (i) Climate and Environmental Factors, (ii) Soil Types and Geotechnical Considerations, (iii) Infrastructure Challenges, (iv) Research and Development of Sustainable Materials and Advanced Geotechnical Design, and (v) Community Engagement and Stakeholder Collaboration.