Saheed Ajayi

Saheed Ajayi is a Professor of Digital Construction and Project Management at Leeds Beckett University, affiliated with the School of Built Environment, Engineering and Computing. He serves as Director of the Construction Informatics and Digital Enterprise Laboratory (CIDEL), leading cutting-edge research in digital construction technologies and sustainable building practices.

• University: Leeds Beckett University
• School: School of Built Environment, Engineering and Computing
• Research Lab: Construction Informatics and Digital Enterprise Laboratory (CIDEL)
• Contact: S.Ajayi@leedsbeckett.ac.uk | 01138127620
• ORCID: 0000-0001-6630-0717 | Scopus ID: 56394201100

His educational background includes a PhD in Construction and Architectural Management, an MSc with distinction in Sustainable Architecture and Healthy Building, and a BSc (First Class Hons) in Architecture. Prior to academia, he worked as a design/project architect and construction project manager, bringing extensive industry experience into his teaching and research.

Saheed’s research focuses on the integration of digital technologies in construction, particularly Building Information Modelling (BIM), sustainable construction with emphasis on waste management, health in buildings, competency-based modelling, and construction informatics using Big Data Analytics, IoT, and Machine Learning. His work bridges industry and academia through multidisciplinary collaboration with UK construction firms.

The recent articles highlight a strong trend in developing digital tools for sustainable and inclusive building design, fire safety automation via BIM, and AI-driven project management systems. These reflect a cohesive research agenda centered on digital transformation, safety, accessibility, and sustainability in the built environment.

• Chartered Construction Manager (MCIOB)
• Fellow of Higher Education Authority (FHEA)

Saheed has secured over £7 million in external research funding, leading major projects such as Auto-BIM (£896,935), LiVE-TAP (£495,128), ADAGE (£497,705), Fire-BIM (£498,846), EDURIGHT (£498,449), and Adapt-ABLE (£499,276), primarily in collaboration with industry partners like Balfour Beatty PLC. He supervises postgraduate research and coordinates research methods and dissertation modules. His teaching philosophy emphasizes 'students as partners,' using technology-enhanced tools like Kahoot, Piazza, and PollEv to foster engagement.

He leads the Construction Informatics and Digital Enterprise Laboratory (CIDEL), a research hub focused on digital innovation in construction, supporting collaborative R&D projects that integrate data science, AI, and sustainable design principles into real-world construction processes.