The American Society of Civil Engineers has selected William J. O'Brien, professor and associate chair for architectural engineering in the Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin, to receive the 2021 Computing in Civil Engineering Award for his leadership in linking science, public policy and the construction industry to drive technology development and progress.

The Computing in Civil Engineering Award was established by the Technical Council on Computer Practices in 1995 to honor members of ASCE who made outstanding contributions to the application of computers to the practice of civil engineering.

O’Brien is active in service to the profession and the community and has held several leadership positions, including chair of the executive committee of the Computing Division of the American Society of Civil Engineers. As a researcher and educator he has led in the evaluation and implementation of complex systems for construction. His technical interests in  Computer Integrated Construction incude information integration, collaborative systems, human-computer interaction and implementation issues. 

ASCE will present O'Brien with this award during the next ASCE Computing Division Event.