Professor Alan Dodson, BSc (Hons), PhD, DSc
Alan was educated at Buckhurst Hill Grammar School, Essex, following which he read Civil Engineering at The University of Nottingham. He continued his studies there gaining a PhD in Engineering Surveying, and after a Research Fellowship joined the academic staff as a Lecturer in Civil Engineering. A long academic career saw him promoted to Head of the School of Civil Engineering, Dean of Engineering and finally Pro-Vice- Chancellor with responsibility for Estates, Infrastructure, Environment and Information Services.
During his academic career, as well as teaching a range of undergraduate and postgraduate civil engineering related topics, Alan’s research interest was in the field of Engineering Surveying and Geodesy, with a particular interest in the engineering and environmental applications of satellite positioning systems.
Professionally Alan, until his retirement, was a Fellow of The Institution of Civil Engineers, The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, The Royal Institution of Navigation and the Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors. He was a Fellow of the International Association of Geodesy (IAG), was for many years the UK Delegate to the IAG and served for 4 years on its Executive. He also served on the Council of The Royal Astronomical Society and for a while as its Vice President (Geophysics). He was awarded a Higher Doctorate (DSc) by the University of Nottingham for his lifetime research work in Engineering Geodesy.
Whilst at School and University Alan was a keen cricket and badminton player, and Bridge player. He still holds the University’s staff cricket team bowling record of 9-26 against the University of Sheffield staff team!
Alan is married to Heather, who also worked for many years at The University of Nottingham in Information Services, and they have a son, Edward, who attended Loughborough Grammar School and is currently studying for a DPhil at Oxford University.