CIRIA

CIRIA
Industry Construction, Built Environment, Civil Engineering
Founded 1960
Headquarters Barbican, London
Products Collaborative research, consultation and dissemination
Services Consensus building, development of guidance and assisting implementation through training, workshops and seminars
Website http://www.ciria.org

CIRIA (formerly the Construction Industry Research and Information Association) is a member-based UK research and information organisation dedicated to improvement in all aspects of the construction industry.[1] Members include representatives from all parts of the supply chains of the modern built environment, covering building and civil engineering as well as transport and utilities infrastructure. CIRIA is a not-for-profit company, with all membership subscriptions, earnings and external funding being invested back into industrial and public seminar events, training courses and research assignments with the overall goal.

History

CIRIA started as an Institution of Civil Engineers initiative, being founded as the Civil Engineering Research Council in 1960, becoming the Civil Engineering Research Association in 1964 and then, reflecting its wider industry role, the Construction Industry Research and Information Association in 1967.[2][3]

In recent times the organisation's name has been shortened to CIRIA, and it is known mainly by its abbreviated name. CIRIA's mission is to improve the performance of those in the construction and related industries.

Research

CIRIA’s research spans the market sectors of buildings and facilities, water and sustainability, environment, civil and ground engineering, process and management, and technology. Working both within and across these market sectors, the themes of work cover a wide remit related to construction including: technical issues, legislation, regulation, training, management and economics. While much of the work benefits from public sector funding. Many of CIRIA's research projects and activities culminate in the publishing of guidance documents, many of which have been adopted as the standard for excellence in their respective areas.[4] The outputs of research projects have also taken the form of training seminars and workshops.

Training

CIRIA provides various training courses. Each course is based on a CIRIA area of expertise, and an accompanying CIRIA publication, where applicable, is distributed to course delegates. All courses are certified for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and the content is continuously updated to reflect industry and legislative changes.

The training modules are designed for all levels of knowledge from less experienced professionals fairly new to construction through to professionals who have extensive knowledge and experience.

In 2010 CIRIA launched the UK's first online training course in contaminated land.[5]

Networks

CIRIA manages a number of Learning Networks. The main event-based network is called the CIRIA network (www.ciria.org/network). The networks deliver around 70 workshops and seminars each year across the UK. The seminars involve industry-practitioner speakers and the transmission of event summaries to all registered members of the networks.

CIRIA also manages a number of more focused networks including:

Ownership

CIRIA’s owners include representatives from all parts of the supply chains of the modern built environment, covering building and civil engineering as well as transport and utilities infrastructure. CIRIA is led by a member-wide council. Bill Healy was appointed as CEO in 2007.[6] Membership of CIRIA’s Executive Board currently comprises:

References

  1. ↑ Trade Federation Sections- About CIRIA
  2. ↑ Muir Wood, Alan (2004). Civil Engineering in Context. Thomas Telford. p. 148. ISBN 9780727732576.
  3. ↑ "The history of the ICE’s engagement with research and innovation in civil engineering". Innovation and Research Focus, Issue 100, February 2015. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  4. ↑ The 2002 Fairclough review of construction research Rethinking construction innovation and research : a review of government R & D policies and practices reported a high industry regard for CIRIA, ranking it highest of all research providers on polls of both industry users and public sector funders of construction research.
  5. ↑ Contaminated Land online training
  6. ↑ Bill Healy appointed as new CEO

External links

CIRIA also manages a number of project and membership related web sites.

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