Max Chipulu

Professor Max Chipulu holds a position at the Business School of Edinburgh Napier University, where he conducts research and teaching in risk management, project management, sustainability, and logistics. With a PhD, MSc, and BEng, he has established himself as an active researcher with numerous publications spanning multiple disciplines. His professional designation as SFHEA (Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy) reflects his commitment to academic excellence in teaching and research.

Professor Chipulu's research interests center on risk management in complex projects, particularly in infrastructure and transportation contexts. His work explores the intersection of public policy and project delivery, with significant contributions to understanding critical success factors in public-private partnerships (PPPs). He has developed expertise in seaport-hinterland logistics, examining competitiveness, cost models, and operational efficiency in container shipping networks. His research also addresses sustainability-oriented innovation and the ethical dimensions of risk management, including how prudence serves as an ethical foundation for organizational decision-making.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward systemic approaches to sustainability and the application of risk management principles to complex infrastructure projects. His work increasingly integrates data analytics with traditional project management frameworks, particularly in examining how organizations can bridge the strategy-data gap. The research demonstrates growing interest in the ethical dimensions of corporate communications, as evidenced by his study on how Twitter messaging might mitigate the impact of ethical scandals.

Professor Chipulu actively supervises PhD students, serving as Director of Studies for Gitana Demenskaja's research on 'Bridging the Strategy - Data Gap: Adopting the Balanced Scorecard to Enhance Data Analytics in UK SMEs' and Jyoti Tauro's work on 'Sustainable strategies in large global M&A deals.' He also serves as Second Supervisor for Harini Happuarachchige's research on sustainable supply chain management. His current research includes a funded project from the Royal Society of Edinburgh titled 'Prudence Risk Culture: Does it Drive Robust Sustainability Strategies?' valued at £4,826.

His academic contributions extend to conference organization, including the ENUclusion Conference (2026-2029) focused on connecting EDI research and action at Edinburgh Napier University. Professor Chipulu also serves on the SFC Advisory Group on Supporting Scotland's Postgraduate Researchers, demonstrating his commitment to advancing research education in Scotland.