Elizabeth A. Croft

Professor, Mechanical Engineering

University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

Elizabeth A. Croft received the B.A.Sc. degree in mechanical engineering in 1988 from the University of British Columbia, the M.A.Sc. degree from the University of Waterloo in 1992 and the Ph.D. degree from the University of Toronto, Canada in 1995. She is Professor and NSERC Chair for Women in Science and Engineering, BC-Yukon at the University of British Columbia and teaches dynamics, robotics, design and engineering leadership. Her research investigates how robotic systems interact with people, and be perceived to behave, in a safe, predictable, and helpful manner. She is author of over 120 technical publications and applications of this work range from manufacturing assembly to healthcare and assistive technology. Elizabeth received a Peter Wall Early Career Scholar award in 2001, the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists (BC) Professional Service Award in 2005, the Award for the Support of Women in the Engineering Profession, Canadian Council of Professional Engineers in 2006, and an NSERC Accelerator award in 2007. She is a founding instructor of the MECH2 program, which won the 2005 ASME Curriculum development award, the 2007 UBC Alfred Scow award and the 2008 Alan Blizzard Award. She was named Fellow of Engineers Canada (2008) and of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (2009).