On the morning of October 28, 2024, the appointment ceremony and academic report for Professor Deborah M. Greaves of the University of Plymouth as an Honorary Professor at Tsinghua University were successfully held in the Digital Sediment Hall at Tsinghua University. Attendees included Tsinghua University Vice President Professor Zheng Li, Vice Dean of the School of Civil Engineering and Hydraulic Engineering Professor Zhao Jianshi, Associate Dean of the Department of Hydraulic Engineering Associate Professor Yuan Jing, Office Director of the School of Civil Engineering and Hydraulic Engineering Xirao Jiaocuo, Zhejiang University Researcher Zheng Siming, Senior Engineer Xia Qi from the Institute of Electrical Engineering of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, as well as more than 30 faculty members and students from Tsinghua University's Department of Hydraulic Engineering. The ceremony was hosted by Professor Zhao Jianshi.
Professor Deborah M. Greaves, Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering
The ceremony began with Professor Zhao Jianshi introducing the attendees. Following that, Vice President Zheng Li delivered a speech on behalf of Tsinghua University, highlighting Professor Greaves' outstanding academic achievements in offshore renewable energy and her long-standing collaboration with Tsinghua's Department of Hydraulic Engineering. He then presented her with the Honorary Professor appointment letter signed by President Li Luming. The audience extended their warm congratulations to Professor Greaves, who subsequently delivered a speech reflecting on her collaboration with the Department of Hydraulic Engineering. She expressed her great honor at being appointed as an Honorary Professor at Tsinghua and looked forward to working with Tsinghua faculty and students to advance offshore renewable energy research.
Professor Zhao Jianshi introduced the attendees and announced the start of the appointment ceremony
Vice President Zheng Li delivers a speech on behalf of Tsinghua University
Vice President Zheng Li presents appointment letter to Professor Deborah M. Greaves
After the appointment ceremony, Professor Greaves delivered an academic report titled "Supergen Offshore Renewable Energy Hub and 2040 Outlook." In her presentation, she outlined key research areas in offshore renewable energy (ORE), including the development and application of offshore wind, wave energy, and tidal energy, while addressing the challenges and opportunities in achieving efficient ORE development. She introduced the research progress and main activities of the Supergen ORE Hub, shared innovative work from the University of Plymouth's COAST laboratory, and discussed the development prospects for offshore renewable energy by 2040.
Professor Deborah M. Greaves' Academic Report
Professor Greaves' report sparked considerable interest among the faculty and students, leading to an engaging academic exchange where participants actively posed questions and shared insights.
On site communication and discussion between teachers and students and Professor Deborah M. Greaves
Tsinghua University's Department of Hydraulic Engineering is committed to advancing marine science, and the appointment of Professor Greaves as an Honorary Professor will help to promote deeper cooperation with the international academic and industrial communities, elevate research capabilities, and strengthen the cultivation of high-level talent.
Professor Deborah M. Greaves is a leading authority in marine engineering, currently serving as a Professor of Marine Engineering at the University of Plymouth's School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics, as well as the Director of the Centre for Decarbonisation and Offshore Renewable Energy and the COAST (Coastal, Ocean and Sediment Transport) Laboratory. Her research covers the physical and numerical modeling of ocean and offshore renewable energy, and she has published over 300 peer-reviewed papers, secured more than £35 million in research funding, and successfully supervised 28 PhD students. Professor Greaves has also edited books on wave and tidal energy and provided support through the COAST laboratory to engineering companies, universities, international clients, and the media. She has made significant contributions to advancing the technical understanding of the UK’s offshore renewable energy sector, leading impactful research projects to drive industry growth. In 2018, she was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her contributions to offshore renewable energy, equality, and higher education, was named one of the Top 50 Women in Engineering for sustainability by the Women's Engineering Society (WE50) in 2020, and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in the same year. In 2024, she received the Subsea UK Lennard-Senior Award for her outstanding achievements in the field of offshore renewable energy.
On site attendees take a photo with Professor Deborah M. Greaves
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