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Our faculty are recognized nationally and internationally for their exceptional research. Through extensive interaction and collaboration with other distinguished research groups, our team of faculty and student researchers provides novel research and technological developments to increase sustainable practices in a variety of industries. We attract the brightest minds in the field and train early-career, technically competent scientists and engineers - the future leaders, consultants and regulators for the discipline.

With our talented people and extraordinary research facilities, the Geotechnical Centre is pioneering the way to innovative, environmentally conscientious solutions for future generations.

What is Geotechnical Engineering?

Geotechnical engineering involves any aspect of engineering relating to soil and rock such as mining, analysis and design of dams, foundations and tunnels, and understanding the behaviour of slopes and groundwater.

Geoenvironmental engineering deals with the interactions between wastes and the geosphere including management of solid waste, migration of contaminant through the subsurface and remediation of contaminated sites.

Geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering has been designated as one of the University of Alberta's areas of research excellence.

News & Events

Professional Development Opportunities

8th International Oil Sands Conference

Bringing together experts and interested individuals to address tailings technology and management in Alberta's Oil Sands Industry, the International Oil Sands Tailings Conference (IOSTC) offers the most recent developments in oil sands tailings and management to the international community through invited speakers and select technical presentations.

Save the date! This year's conference will be December 9-10, 2024 at the Dinwoodie Lounge on the University of Alberta's north campus in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

For more information, email Lindsay Erickson or visit IOSTC2024.com.

Graduate Student Seminar Series 


Join us for our weekly Graduate Student Seminar Series. Each week, we host a guest speaker or geotechnical graduate student presentation. In-person sessions are located in room 7-395 of the Donadeo Innovation Centre for Engineering. Follow our LinkedIn page for updates on speaker bios and virtual registration details.

We are also looking for industry professionals to act as guest speakers. For more information, please email Lindsay Erickson.

Join us online

Alumni, colleagues and friends of the Geotechnical Centre are invited to connect with us on our UAlberta Geotechnical Centre LinkedIn page! Follow us to stay up to date with the new and exciting developments at our Centre and what cutting-edge research our faculty members and graduate students are conducting. 

We also have a LinkedIn Group where we post professional opportunities, news and events within the geotechnical community. Please let us know if you have any exciting news to share with our communitywe look forward to hearing from you!

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel to learn about the latest research and technological advances in the fields of geotechnical engineering!

Sign up for our newsletter to keep abreast of the latest professional development activities offered by our Centre!

For more geotechnical engineering events, visit the Geotechnical Society of Edmonton and Canadian Geotechnical Society.