Here you will find news relevant to the activities of the initiative including webinars, talks, consulting projects, publications, participation in conferences and meetings mostly relevant to resilience of critical infrastructure with emphasis on transport and energy assets and their intra/interdependencies, views on the UNs Sustainable Development Goals and use of digital and emerging technologies in infrastructure resilience- and sustainability-based management
18
Apr 25
ARTISTE 2025 Keynote: Prof. Stergios Mitoulis on AI-Driven Bridge Monitoring
Prof. Stergios-Aristoteles Mitoulis, leader of MetaInfrastructure.org, will deliver a keynote at the ARTISTE 2025 International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Structural Engineering, scheduled for September 14–17 at Politecnico di Torino, Italy.
Keynote Title:
Non-destructive Bridge Damage Characterisation: From Traditional Approaches to Novel Ensemble Learning
In his presentation, Prof. Mitoulis will explore the evolution of bridge condition assessment from traditional engineering methods to cutting-edge digital and data-driven approaches. He will discuss the transition from conventional techniques like visual inspections and finite element analysis to advanced technologies such as Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Interferometry, UAV-based photogrammetry, and Digital Twins. Emphasis will be placed on a novel, cause-agnostic machine learning framework designed for non-destructive bridge damage identification, particularly effective in data-scarce environments.
Prof. Mitoulis brings extensive experience in climate resilience, sustainability, and the digitalisation of critical infrastructures. He has secured over €8 million in research funding from UKRI and Horizon Europe, leading projects such as the €1.65 million ReCharged, the €5 million ZEBAI, and the €2.5 million RISKADAPT. As Editor-in-Chief of the ICE Journal of Bridge Engineering, his contributions to the field are widely recognized.
For more details on the conference and to register, visit the ARTISTE 2025 official website.
7
Apr 25
UK-Ukraine Research Twinning Showcase and Networking 2025
On March 27-28, 2025, we had the privilege of participating in the UK-Ukraine Research Twinning Showcase and Networking 2025 in Liverpool.
We passionately advocated for a science-based, people-centric, and sustainable approach to reconstructing Ukraine—one that goes beyond short-term restoration and avoids profit-driven priorities.
During the event, we presented our three-year capacity-building initiative, the Empower Ukraine Project, aimed at training Ukrainian engineers in Eurocodes. This initiative supports the reconstruction of homes and critical infrastructure, contributing to a sustainable and resilient future for Ukraine.
We’re proud to announce that we’ve successfully raised £2 million to date to support Ukraine’s recovery efforts.
To learn more about our initiatives and how you can support, visit: bridgeUkraine.org
A special thank you to the event organisers, ScienceForUkraine, and Prof Igor Potapov for bringing this vital community together.
Participants: Dr Stergios Mitoulis, Dr Sotirios Argyroudis, Dariia Berestok, and Prof Shchasiana Arhun.
20
Mar 25
Our Metainfrastructure Member Professor Nataliya Shakhovska Elected as the New Rector of Lviv Polytechnic National University
We are proud to announce that Professor Nataliya Shakhovska, a valued member of our Metainfrastructure team, has been elected as the new Rector of Lviv Polytechnic National University.
Election Results:
- Professor Nataliya Shakhovska – 1868 votes (55.09%)
- Nazar Podolchak – 1326 votes (39.1%)
- None of the candidates – 172 votes (5.07%)
- Invalid ballots – 25 (0.74%)
With 1868 votes (55.09%), Professor Nataliya Shakhovska earned the majority and was formally recognized as the new Rector of Lviv Polytechnic National University. Her leadership, vision, and expertise will undoubtedly significantly contribute to the university’s future.
As a member of our Metainfrastructure team, Professor Nataliya has consistently demonstrated excellence in her work, and we are excited to see her bring the same dedication and innovation to her new role.
9
Mar 25
A Great Visit from Prof. Ioannis Anastasopoulos at the University of Birmingham
On 7th March, the School of Engineering, University of Birmingham, had the distinct honour of hosting Prof. Ioannis Anastasopoulos, Head of the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geomatic Engineering at ETH Zurich.
Prof. Anastasopoulos delivered an engaging and fascinating talk titled:
“Breakwaters Subjected to Tsunamis and Flood-Induced Scouring of Bridge Foundations”
He shared his groundbreaking research on geotechnical earthquake engineering and soil–structure interaction, leaving our audience inspired by his expertise and innovative approaches.
Beyond the lecture, we had productive discussions on future research collaborations, including:
- PhD exchanges and capacity-building opportunities
- Joint research grants, including Horizon and Europe initiatives
- Co-authorship of research papers to advance geotechnical engineering
- Conference contributions, including key events Prof. Anastasopoulos is organizing in 2026
- Staff exchange programmes to strengthen academic and industrial partnerships
We also had the pleasure of showing Prof. Anastasopoulos our National Buried Infrastructure Facility (NBIF), an integral part of geotechnical and infrastructure research.
A huge thank you to Prof. Ioannis Anastasopoulos for his visit, inspiring talk, and invaluable insights. His leadership and expertise in the field of geotechnical engineering are truly remarkable, and we look forward to the exciting collaborations ahead!
7
Mar 25
Scoping Workshop on Future Built Ecosystems at the University of Birmingham
At the School of Engineering, University of Birmingham, we recently hosted an engaging Scoping Workshop on Future Built Ecosystems, bringing together over 50 experts, both in-person and online, from a wide range of disciplines. The event aimed to spark new collaborations, explore innovative research directions, and strategize for bidding on large research grants.
From advancing AI and robotics in the built environment to shaping pathways for low-carbon, climate-resilient, and people-centric cities, the discussions were rich with insights and opportunities. It was truly inspiring to witness so many brilliant minds come together to share ideas, paving the way for groundbreaking research and transformative outcomes.
A huge thank you to all the participants for your valuable contributions! We are excited to see how these conversations evolve and drive forward our vision for the future of built ecosystems.
Building on the momentum of this workshop, we will be developing a collaborative roadmap to turn these innovative ideas into impactful projects.
5
Mar 25
ReCharged: Celebrating Two Years of Progress and Collaboration
We are thrilled to celebrate the two-year milestone of ReCharged: Climate-aware Resilience for Sustainable Critical and Interdependent Infrastructure Systems enhanced by emerging Digital Technologies.
This achievement reflects the success of our project meetings, workshops, and invaluable networking events that continue to drive innovation and collaboration.
After a productive meeting in Madrid, we are re-energized to move forward. These gatherings provide the perfect platform for:
- Discussing research progress,
- Setting priorities for upcoming milestones,
- And fostering new opportunities for collaboration.
A huge thank you to all contributors, especially David Garcia-Sanchez and Tecnalia Research & Innovation, for their exceptional organization!
Let’s keep building on this momentum as we continue to push boundaries in research and innovation.
Discover more about ReCharged on our website: msca-recharged.eu
25
Feb 25
Featured Article in Engineering Structures
The paper titled “Cause-agnostic Bridge Damage State Identification Utilizing Machine Learning” has been selected by the Editors-in-Chief of Engineering Structures as the featured article for the December 2024 issue. This recognition comes after its presentation at major conferences and receiving an award from The Institution of Structural Engineers, reflecting the dedication and innovation behind this work.
Read more here.
Following a valuable experience in the Oil & Gas sector, which provided significant insights and expertise, Dr. Stergios has returned to the team at Robert Bird Group. This marks a new chapter of collaboration and commitment to delivering outstanding engineering projects, building on the lessons learned from previous roles.
25
Feb 25
University of Birmingham and Metainfrastructure Win Structural Engineering Award 2024
The University of Birmingham and Metainfrastructure have won the Structural Engineering Award in Research at the prestigious IStructE – Institution of Structural Engineering Award Ceremony!
Our groundbreaking paper, titled “Cause-agnostic bridge damage state identification utilising machine learning”, represents a pioneering effort in ML-assisted bridge damage state identification for rapid fragility assessment.
Read the Paper
The open-access paper can be found here:
Kazantzi, A.K., Moutsianos, S., Bakalis, K., Mitoulis, S.A. 2024.
Engineering Structures. Vol. 320, (1), 118887.
Read the paper on Engineering Structures
Congratulations to the Team
A huge congratulations to the FutureStructures – University of Birmingham group, Metainfrastructure group, and the authors:
- Athanasia Kazantzi
- Sokratis Moutsianos
Research Funding
This work was supported by the #ReCharged, #HorizonEurope, and #MSCA projects.
21
Feb 25
MetaInfrastructure.org Contributes Expert Evidence to UK Parliament’s 2025 Inquiry on Flood Resilience
We are proud to announce that the MetaInfrastructure.org research group has provided expert evidence to the UK Parliament’s 2025 Inquiry on Flood Resilience in England.
Our contribution highlights innovative, sustainable approaches to infrastructure resilience, emphasizing the integration of AI, IoT, and digital twin technologies. We advocate for hybrid solutions that merge nature-based strategies with advanced digital tools, aiming to enhance resilience in urban and transport systems.
Read the full evidence report: https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/134013/pdf
Let’s build a more sustainable future together!
12
Feb 25
New Publication: Dr. Athanasia K. Kazantzi Unveils Smart Solutions for Bridge Damage Identification Using Machine Learning
We’re excited to announce a groundbreaking study authored by Dr. Athanasia K. Kazantzi, a member of MetaInfrastructure.org, recently published in Engineering Structures (DOI: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2024.118123). The paper, titled “Cause-Agnostic Bridge Damage State Identification Utilizing Machine Learning”, introduces innovative methods for identifying bridge damage states using advanced machine learning techniques, independent of the underlying causes.
Key Highlights:
- AI-Driven Diagnostics: Introduces a machine learning framework capable of identifying bridge damage states without requiring specific knowledge of the causes, enabling faster and more accurate assessments.
- Real-World Applications: Demonstrates the scalability and practicality of the framework through case studies, providing actionable insights for infrastructure managers and engineers.
- Improved Efficiency: Highlights how this approach can reduce inspection times and costs while enhancing the safety and resilience of critical transportation infrastructure.
Dr. Kazantzi, a leading expert at MetaInfrastructure.org, underscores the importance of this work:
“Bridges are vital links in our infrastructure networks. Our research equips stakeholders with tools to identify and address damage efficiently, ensuring public safety and the longevity of bridge assets.”
Alignment with Global Goals:
This study supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting innovation in infrastructure management, particularly:
- SDG 9: Innovation in Infrastructure
- SDG 11: Inclusive, Safe, and Sustainable Cities
It also contributes to advancing resilience in transport infrastructure, a key element in climate adaptation and sustainable urban development.
Why This Matters:
With millions of bridges worldwide requiring regular inspection and maintenance, this research provides engineers, policymakers, and infrastructure managers with a cause-agnostic, machine learning-based framework to enhance operational efficiency and safety.
Explore the full paper here and discover how this research is redefining infrastructure diagnostics through artificial intelligence.
MetaInfrastructure.org congratulates Dr. Kazantzi and her research team on their visionary contributions to advancing infrastructure science and practice.