CQU’s Professor Elizabeth Taylor, AO, Dean of the James Goldston Faculty of Engineering and Physical Systems at Central Queensland University, and CQU alumnus Tim Griffin (Civil Engineering and MBA) have been named among Australia’s most influential engineers by Engineers Australia.

Professor Taylor has again been named as one of the Top 100 Australia’s Most Influential Engineers for the second year running by Engineers Australia. She is one of only four women to appear in the list.

Professor Taylor was recognised this year for her role as Chair of the Board of Professional Engineers Queensland, and is the first women to hold this position.. The seven-member board registers all practising professional engineers in the state. It also assesses complaints against engineers and has the power to initiate investigations and prosecute through the Commercial and Consumer Tribunal and court system.

“We have the necessary legislative backing to monitor the professional behaviour of the state’s registered engineers. I see Queensland possibly as a forerunner of similar national legislation which would have the potential to give schemes such as the National Professional Engineers Register disciplinary powers they currently don’t have, Taylor said.

Another Central Queenslander named in this year’s Top 100 is Tim Griffin -- national president of the Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia. Tim was recognised for his role as an advocate for the 42,000-member association as well as his work in promoting the social and economic benefits of engineering to students and the community. Based in Rockhampton, Mr Griffin also manages planning and infrastructure for the Queensland Department of Transport (Rockhampton).

“We searched for engineers who are influential at present, either through the position they hold or the work that they do,” said Dietrich Georg, Managing Editor, Civil Engineers Australia.

“[It] demonstrates... the great opportunities the profession offers to its graduates,” added Georg.