Karen Scrivener

Karen Scrivener is a Full Professor and Director of the Laboratory of Construction Materials at École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), where she focuses on the intersection of academic research and industrial applications in the cement industry. With a strong background in material chemistry, she has significantly advanced the understanding of cementitious materials, particularly regarding the microstructure, hydration mechanisms, and durability of concrete. Scrivener is the founder of the Nanocem network, which has grown to include numerous academic and industrial partners, transforming research in cement and concrete. Her pioneering work includes the development of limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) technology, which reduces CO2 emissions from cement production by up to 40% and is now implemented in over 50 countries. Recognized for her contributions, she has received multiple awards, including the Della Roy Lecture Award from the American Ceramic Society and election as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. With an impressive H-index of 26, her research publications are widely cited, reflecting her influence in the field. Scrivener continues to lead initiatives aimed at making construction materials more sustainable while mentoring students and collaborating with industry leaders to address pressing environmental challenges.