Alba Fuertes

Dr. Alba Fuertes is an Associate Professor at the University of Reading's School of the Built Environment, leading the Organisations, People and Technology research group. Her work focuses on climate change adaptation in construction, occupational health and safety, and sustainable building practices. She holds a PhD from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC, Spain) and previously served as Associate Professor at the University of Plymouth before joining Reading in 2022.

Education:

• PhD in Construction Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (2012)
• MSc in Construction Project Management, UPC (2007)
• MEng in Industrial Engineering (Construction Specialization), UPC (2006)

Research Interests:

• Climate resilience in construction processes
• Worker health impacts of extreme weather
• Building energy efficiency and quality management
• Occupant behavior in built environments

Teaching:

• Convenes courses: Building Technology (UG), Construction Management Project (UG), Research Skills (MSc)
• Supervises dissertations at undergraduate and postgraduate levels

Grants & Projects:

• Climate change readiness of Spanish construction SMEs (Co-I, 2024-2025)
• Sustainability Hub: Low Carbon Devon (Co-I, 2019-2023)
• EnerGAware energy-saving game project (PI at UoP, 2015-2018)

Lab/Tech Engagement: Active in cross-disciplinary teams addressing building performance, energy systems, and construction innovation through EU-funded initiatives and industry partnerships.