John Mitchell Award

The award was instituted in memory of the prominent geotechnical engineer John Mitchell of Arup, who was killed while observing piling works at a central London site in 1990.

John Mitchell

The award criteria considered by the BGA include the following:

• In reflection of John Mitchell’s career, selection will favour practical applications of up to date geotechnical concepts or models (rather than advanced theoretical academic practice).
• The BGA will consider individuals, like John, who in the course of their careers via incremental works have made significant contribution to geotechnical practice.
• Notwithstanding the above, the BGA will in addition consider any contemporary practitioner who has instigated a major advance in the geotechnical field, thus opening the award up to the innovative, regardless of age or incremental contribution count.

The Award winner gives the John Mitchell Lecture at a BGA Evening meeting the January following the year of the award.

List of John Mitchell Award winners

Previous John Mitchell Award winners are listed below. Prior to 2014, the Award was given to a published paper. The criteria were changed in 2014, to present the award to a person. The list below is for the period since 2008 when the award nominations began to be administered by the BGA. Prior to 2008 the award was administered by the John Mitchell Trust.