The School of Engineering at Trinity College Dublin proudly congratulates Dr. John Hickey, Assistant Professor in Structural Engineering, and Dr. Hollie Moore, Teaching Fellow, on their success in the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) Research into Practice case study competition.
Announced in November 2024, their winning case study — The Wind-Induced Vibration Response of Modular High-Rise Buildings - has now been featured in the May 2025 edition of The Structural Engineer, the flagship publication of IStructE. The recognition celebrates their innovative research and its successful translation into practical, real-world engineering solutions.
Their study investigates how modular high-rise buildings respond to wind-induced vibrations — a growing concern as modular construction gains momentum in urban environments. Offering fresh insights into mitigating these dynamic effects, their research delivers meaningful benefits for building safety, occupant comfort, and long-term structural performance.
The case study was praised by judges for its originality, technical depth, and clear demonstration of impact in practice. It also highlighted strong collaboration between academia and industry, reinforcing the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in tackling the structural challenges of modern construction.
As part of their prize, Dr. Hickey and Dr. Moore received a £500 award and also presented at the Young Researchers Conference in March 2025 - another milestone recognising their contribution to the future of structural engineering.
The Research into Practice competition provides a global platform to showcase how academic research can inform and improve engineering practice. By bridging the gap between theoretical research and built environment outcomes, it celebrates innovation that is both practical and scalable.
Professor Alan O’Connor, Head of the School of Engineering at Trinity commented;
“We are incredibly proud of Dr. John Hickey and Dr. Hollie Moore for this prestigious recognition by the Institution of Structural Engineers. Their research on wind-induced vibrations in modular high-rise buildings addresses a key challenge in modern construction, providing practical solutions to enhance structural performance and occupant comfort. This achievement highlights the excellence of research within Trinity's School of Engineering and the importance of collaboration between academia and industry. We congratulate John and Hollie on this significant accomplishment and look forward to the continued impact of their work on the future of structural engineering.”
This achievement underlines the School of Engineering’s commitment to world-class research, impactful collaboration, and leadership in shaping the future of sustainable structural design.
Congratulations to Dr. John Hickey and Dr. Hollie Moore on this prestigious recognition - a reflection of Trinity’s ongoing dedication to excellence in engineering education and innovation.