Professor of Architectural Engineering, Department of Architecture, University of Cambridge

Director, Cambridge University Centre for Risk in the Built Environment

Emily So is a chartered civil engineer, a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, and Director of the Cambridge University Centre for Risk in the Built Environment (CURBE). She is a Professor of Architectural Engineering at the Department of Architecture. Her area of specialty is casualty estimation in earthquake loss modelling, and her research has led to an improved understanding of the relationship between deaths and injuries following earthquakes. Recognised as an expert in the field, Emily sits on the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), providing valuable and timely scientific and technical advice to support the UK Government’s Cabinet Office Briefing Room (COBR). Her main area of interest is in assessing and managing urban risk and resilience. Emily is actively engaged with earthquake‐affected communities in different parts of the world, focusing on applying her work towards making real-world improvements in seismic safety. She has extended her work in earthquakes to modelling and finding solutions to mitigate against other natural perils in the UK and abroad. Most recently Emily designed and delivered the Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) International Summer Programme (ISP) course on “Disaster and climate resilience management" with the World Bank. The course provides theoretical frameworks and methods to develop evidence-based tools in disaster risk reduction management.

A co-authored book, Why Do Buildings Collapse in Earthquakes? Building for Safety in Seismic Areas, published in 2021, captures her personal experience and insights from disasters of the last 20 years, and together with Professor Robin Spence, they propose a path to earthquake safety worldwide.

Professor So is a Fellow at Pembroke College.