IES is a multi-disciplinary engineering body, founded in Scotland in 1857, that provides a forum in which individuals from all engineering and related disciplines can discuss and exchange information, generate ideas and encourage young engineers. IES works with kindred bodies to promote a wider understanding of the role of the professional engineer in society.
James Watt Dinner 2026 - there's still time to buy tickets.
IES Events
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IES - Presidential Address - Realising design - From concept to completion
22nd September 2026 6:30 pm -
IES - Biomedical Engineering:- Digital Integration of Medical Diagnostics into Connected Healthcare
20th October 2026 6:30 pm
Other Institutions’ Events
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IStructE - The Wedgewood Institute, a listed building in Stoke
8th September 2026 1:00 pm -
IOR - High temperature heat pumps and new technology
10th September 2026 4:00 pm
Opinion
Nuclear production lines: How will SMR factories work?
23 July 2026
The case for small modular reactors (SMRs) is compelling. Unlike traditional nuclear power plants that take years – or even decades – to build, SMRs will largely be made inside factories. Identical reactors will roll off the production line, ready to be shipped to site, fixed together and switched on. Once the production line is up and running, the companies selling SMRs will – in theory – be able to predictably churn out multiple units a year.
Featured Event
22nd September 2026 6:30 pm
IES - Presidential Address - Realising design - From concept to completion
Dr Robb will take us on a journey from concept design to finish, highlighting pitfalls and opportunities along the way. Further details to follow
Dr Malcolm Robb, Engineering Manager, responsible for the Afloat Capability Theme…
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NatureScot’s consultation
08 September 2026 -
IES Programme launched
07 September 2026 -
Lunasonic wins support from Water Discovery Challenge
05 September 2026
Publication of the Month
Great ships, solitary waves, and solitons
John Mellis
John Scott Russell was one of the foremost naval architects of his time. Born near Glasgow in 1808, he became a noted and popular lecturer, before moving away from academia to focus on industrial engineering. Among his many achievements, two stand out. First, the design and construction of the SS Great Eastern in collaboration with Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Second, the discovery and study of a strange wave phenomenon he acutely observed on the Union Canal near Edinburgh. Scott Russell’s ‘Wave of Translation’, now known as Solitary Waves or solitons, turned out to have significance and application in many fields, including optical telecommunications.
“My proof of concept, my Heath Robinson lash-up, including a section of a chocolate bar dispenser, was loaded into the guard’s van at Glasgow Central station en route overnight to London, where I successfully presented my invention and demonstrated it to the banks and other interested parties, including the Assistant Cashier of the Bank of England.”
James Goodfellow / Glasgow, 2016