Elisha is a PhD-qualified structural engineer with over 20 years of experience encompassing structural design, assessment and reporting. She is accomplished in design management, project management and construction phase services. Her technical abilities are complemented by her excellent interpersonal skills, as well as her legal qualifications which aid in her ability to identify, simplify, address, and resolve core issues.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy
Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) (Hons I)
Bachelor of Laws (Hons I)
Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng)
Engineering Executive (EngExec)
Fellow, Engineers Australia (FIEAust)
Registered on National Engineers Register (NER)
Registered Building Practitioner, Northern Territory
Registered Building Practitioner, Victoria
Registered Professional Engineer, Queensland
Professional Member, Resolution Institute
Member NT Building Advisory Committee
Member NT Building Appeals Board
Awards
Chancellors Medal 2017
Attorney-Generals Medal 2017
Research Paper Prize 2017
Administrative Law Prize 2016
Solicitor-General for the Northern Territory prize for Outstanding Academic Achievement in Constitutional Law 2015
Lexis Nexis Prize for Contracts B 2012
Ted Rowe Memorial Prize for Introduction to Legal Studies 2011
Engineers Australia Northern Division Young Professional Engineer of the Year 2010
Articles written for The Talk
Is your Importance Level 1 building really that unimportant?
When structures are designed as non-habitable, it is often assumed that they do not present a hazard to life in case of failure. There are other factors however that need to be considered when determining the appropriate Importance Level.
You bring the drinks, we'll bring the balustrades
While balustrades probably aren't on your mind while hosting a party (or perhaps, ever), you'll be glad they show up.
Steel coatings – when looks are not enough
So you’ve calculated your design actions, sized your steel members, and detailed your connections. All done right? Not quite.
She took the midnight train goin’… regional?
Up-and-coming engineers who want to make their mark tend to set their sights on big cities. That’s where there are multitudes of major projects, and major projects mean major opportunities, right? While the skills you develop in these roles are valuable, they can be very niche.
Computer says yes – but physics says no
Engineers have a multitude of tools at hand to assist with their jobs. These serve to greatly reduce calculation effort, improve accuracy, shorten the time required for rework and generally allow for more refined designs. An inability or unwillingness to sanity check the outputs obtained using such tools is a risk to the suitability and efficacy of the produced designs.
Remote housing – engineering for durability
After decades of remote housing programs, one of the greatest challenges continues to be durability of the housing stock. Based on inspection of over 200 remote dwellings, it is clear there are engineering changes that can be made which will greatly improve durability.
Registration of engineers – gold standard or red tape?
The public’s confidence in the construction industry has taken a battering in recent times thanks to various issues including combustible cladding and significant defects in structures. While there are differing opinions, particularly as to extent and degree of regulation, the general consensus is in favour of registration of engineers. But whose pocket does it hit?
She'll be right – my house is 'cyclone coded'
Cyclones pose a very real threat to communities across coastal areas of northern Australia. This isn’t news; people living in these areas are aware of the threat and there is frequent talk of buildings, particularly houses, being ‘cyclone coded’ – but what does that actually mean?