Glenn Bell receives IStructE Gold Medal for structural engineering contributions

CROSS-US director receives award for work in structural engineering

Glenn Bell, Director of Collaborative Reporting for Safer Structures US (CROSS-US), will receive the 2025 Gold Medal from the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE).

The award recognises Bell’s career in structural engineering, including his work on safety standards and investigations into structural failures.

According to CROSS-US, Bell is being acknowledged for his contributions to building safety, forensic engineering, and the development of national standards.

Bell’s role as a Research Civil Engineer at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is also cited. He currently co-leads the NIST investigation into the 2021 partial collapse of the Champlain Towers condominium in Florida.

The IStructE Gold Medal will be presented to Bell in a formal ceremony in November 2025.

Investigation into Champlain Towers collapse

Bell’s role in investigating the Surfside, Florida condominium collapse has been a major factor in the award decision.

According to CROSS-US, Bell has contributed to the ongoing study of the partial failure of Champlain Towers South, which killed 98 people in June 2021.

The investigation, led by NIST, aims to identify the causes of the collapse and develop recommendations to improve building safety in the United States.

Bell’s involvement includes leading multidisciplinary research into construction practices, structural design, and maintenance issues that may have played a role in the failure.

Contributions to CROSS-US programme in North America

The award also reflects Bell’s leadership in expanding CROSS-US, a reporting platform that shares confidential safety concerns within the structural engineering profession.

Paul Livesey, Head of CROSS Operations, said: “Congratulations to Glenn from all of us at CROSS. His unwavering commitment to structural safety and leadership at CROSS-US have made a lasting impact on the profession.

“His award is a testament not only to his expertise, but also to his dedication to making the built environment safer for all.”

The CROSS-US initiative is modelled on the UK’s original CROSS programme and has been promoted in the United States as a way to share safety lessons across the sector.

Reaction from Glenn Bell

Bell expressed gratitude for the recognition and highlighted the collaborative nature of structural safety work.

Glenn Bell said: “I am honoured to be this year’s Gold Medallist, and I thank IStructE for recognising my structural engineering career with this accolade.

“This award means a lot to me.

“However, I also think it honours the professionals I work with, as safety in the built environment is a hugely collaborative effort.

“I believe that constant vigilance to structural safety through learning from failures is integral to our desire to create elegant and sustainable structures.”

Bell has previously led efforts to integrate forensic learning into industry practice, aiming to reduce the risk of future structural failures.

History and purpose of the IStructE Gold Medal

The IStructE Gold Medal has been awarded annually since 1922.

It recognises individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of structural engineering.

The Institution of Structural Engineers has stated that past recipients include notable engineers such as Ove Arup, Felix Candela, and Edmund Happold.

The medal is considered one of the most prestigious honours in the global structural engineering community.

According to IStructE, the award reflects both technical achievement and contributions to the public understanding of structural safety.

Glenn Bell receives IStructE Gold Medal for structural engineering contributions: Summary

Glenn Bell has been named the 2025 recipient of the Institution of Structural Engineers Gold Medal.

The award will be presented in November.

Bell is Director of CROSS-US and a Research Civil Engineer at NIST.

His role in the Champlain Towers investigation contributed to the award.

Bell has worked on building safety and standards development.

He has led efforts to share safety reports through CROSS-US.

Paul Livesey said Bell has made a lasting impact on structural safety.

Bell said the award also honours his collaborators.

The IStructE Gold Medal was first awarded in 1922.

Past recipients include Ove Arup and Edmund Happold.