This talk draws on more than 40 years of research and practice in earthquake engineering in Chile and abroad. It is designed to interest both technical and non-technical audiences, offering insight into how structures behave under extreme seismic loading and what that means for design. Through a series of examples, the talk traces the evolution of theory and practice in the field over time, while highlighting the key physical concepts behind sound earthquake performance in buildings. It also contrasts the progress made in academic research with what actually happens in practice, examining the human and social factors that shape how well that knowledge gets implemented. The talk closes with a reflection on why it matters to understand the gap between academic knowledge and its translation into real building design. Attendees will come away with a grounding in the basics of earthquake engineering, a sense of what to look for in a structure for good seismic performance, and an appreciation of the obstacles that persist in practice even when the technical solution to the earthquake design of new buildings is already known.

Juan Carlos de la Llera Martin is the President of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, a position he has held since March 2025. As President, he governs and represents the University, exercising full executive and administrative authority in accordance with the norms established by the Holy See. Appointed by the competent ecclesiastical authority for a renewable five-year term, he is responsible for leading the institution’s strategic direction, overseeing its governance and operations, and ensuring the implementation of policies, regulations, and institutional plans.

Professor de la Llera is a Full Professor at the School of Engineering at UC Chile. He holds a degree in Civil Engineering from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, as well as a Master of Science and a PhD in Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, with a specialization in structural dynamics and seismic control. He served as Dean of the School of Engineering from 2010 to 2022, completing three consecutive terms. His academic and research work has focused on earthquake engineering and the development of technologies to mitigate the impact of seismic events on critical infrastructure. He has published extensively in leading scientific journals and has received national and international recognition for his contributions to applied innovation.

In addition to his academic work, he has actively contributed to discussions on engineering education and innovation in higher education. He is a researcher at the Research Center for Integrated Disaster Risk Management (CIGIDEN) and a founding partner of SIRVE, a company dedicated to the design of low-cost seismic protection technologies for construction in earthquake-prone regions.