Professor Haijiang Li is a Chair in BIM for Smart Engineering at Cardiff University's School of Engineering. His roles include leading the Computational Mechanics and Engineering AI Research Group, directing the BIM for Smart Engineering Centre, and overseeing the BIM MSc programme. He holds editorial roles for journals like Construction Innovation and Automation in Construction , and chairs the European Group of Intelligent Computing in Engineering (EG-ICE). Research focuses on smart computational engineering platforms integrating BIM, AI, and big data for sustainable infrastructure. Key areas include digital twins, disaster management, and resilient urban systems. He has secured £40M in research funding, including £9M as PI, and led over 70 research staff and students. Prof. Li is a Standards Committee Technical Executive at buildingSMART, driving international BIM standards. His work includes co-authoring a book on BIM standards across China, the US, and the UK. Awards include Fellowships from the British Computer Society (FBCS) and the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). His research outputs span over 250 publications, covering topics like AI-driven bridge maintenance, ontology-based decision-making, and energy-efficient urban systems. Collaborations with industry and global partners emphasize practical applications of BIM and smart technologies.
Professor Emily So serves as Deputy Head of the School of Arts and Humanities at the University of Cambridge and directs the Cambridge University Centre for Risk in the Built Environment (CURBE). A chartered civil engineer with extensive field experience, she holds leadership roles in the Open-Oxford-Cambridge AHRC Doctoral Training Partnership and chairs the Faculty EDI Committee. Her research focuses on urban risk and resilience , particularly in earthquake-prone regions. Combining structural engineering with epidemiological approaches, she develops innovative casualty estimation models and engages directly with affected communities worldwide. Her work spans seismic safety, disaster epidemiology, and remote sensing applications for rapid damage assessment. Professor So's publication trends reveal strong emphasis on machine learning for disaster risk modeling , with recent work featuring graph neural networks, deep clustering for urban morphology, and LSTM-based population forecasting. Her research bridges engineering, social sciences, and data science to address resilience in developing nations. 2010 Shah Family Innovation Prize (Earthquake Engineering Research Institute) Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers (FICE) Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) member advising UK government As Director of CURBE, she leads interdisciplinary collaborations with EEFIT, Global Earthquake Model (GEM), World Bank, and USGS. Her field investigations following major earthquakes inform practical solutions for vulnerable communities, notably contributing to the 2017 World Building of the Year design in China. Current work includes sabbatical research for 2025-2026 focused on decolonizing architectural approaches to disaster resilience. Professor So maintains active roles in professional organizations and international disaster response frameworks, with her CURBE team developing methodologies now implemented globally for seismic safety improvements.
Professor Saskia Goes is a Professor of Geophysics at Imperial College London's Department of Earth Science & Engineering within the Faculty of Engineering. She specializes in geodynamics, subduction dynamics, and seismic hazard analysis using numerical modeling and geophysical data interpretation. Her affiliations include the Dynamic Earth and Hazards groups at the Imperial Centre for Geohazards Dynamics. Education: PhD in Geophysics from UC Santa Cruz (1995), Drs (BSc/MSc equivalent) from Utrecht University (1990). Prior roles include SNF Professor of Tectonophysics at ETH Zurich (2003-2005), Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan (1995-1996), and postdoctoral research at Utrecht University (1996-1999). Research focuses on mantle dynamics, lithosphere structure, and subduction zone processes. Her work integrates seismic imaging, machine learning, and numerical simulations to study phenomena like slab dynamics, mantle plumes, and fluid migration. Key themes include the interplay between tectonic forces and geochemical processes in continental and oceanic settings. Publications emphasize subduction zone processes, seismic tomography, and induced seismicity. She has led projects like the VoiLA initiative studying volatile recycling in the Lesser Antilles. Awards and recognition include invited lectures at leading conferences (AGU, EGU) and universities worldwide. Teaching includes undergraduate geodynamics, geohazards courses, and advanced MSc modeling modules. Active in promoting geohazard research through interdisciplinary collaboration and public engagement.
Mohd Ahmad Syed is a Senior Lecturer in Geotechnical Engineering at the University of Manchester's Department of Civil Engineering and Management. His research focuses on climate change impacts on geotechnical infrastructure, resilient and sustainable infrastructure design, and earthquake engineering. He holds a PhD from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and has industry experience with firms like Consulting Engineering Services (I) Pvt. Ltd and Dar Al-Handasah Consultants. Education: BTech (Hons) in Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (2001) MTech in Geotechnical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (2003) PhD in Seismic Analyses of Waterfront Structures, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (2009) Research Interests: Climate change modelling for geotechnical infrastructure resilience Development of sustainable construction materials (e.g., bagasse ash) Seismic risk analysis for dams and tunnels in West Africa Artificial soil weathering techniques for laboratory testing Coupled numerical methods for embankment stability under climate scenarios Editorial Activities: Assistant Editor, International Journal of Geomechanics (ASCE) Assistant Editor, Indian Geotechnical Journal (Springer) Key Achievements: Developed first-of-its-kind displacement-based S-curve for seismic earth pressure analysis Co-developed methodologies for post-liquefaction pile behavior and blast-loaded tunnels Guided 10 PhD/MSc students in geotechnical resilience and sustainability topics
Dr. Esmaeel Esmaeeli is a Senior Lecturer in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Brunel University London, serving as Course Director for the MSc in Structural Engineering. His work focuses on sustainable structural retrofitting solutions, safety, and resilience of concrete and masonry structures. Brunel University London (Current: Senior Lecturer) Queen’s University Belfast (Postdoctoral Fellow, Horizon 2020 MSC Fellowship) University of Minho (PhD research on Hybrid Composite Plate) K. N. Toosi University (MSc research on seismic strengthening) His research spans advanced materials like Strain-Hardening Cementitious Composite (SHCC) and Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) for seismic retrofitting, computational modeling of FRP-concrete interfaces, and dynamic response under extreme loads. Recent work includes the SMArtPlate and Hybrid Composite Plate (HCP) systems. Scientific recognition includes the Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship and a Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) scholarship. He has advised on structural vulnerability assessments and leads teams in consultancy projects.
Professor Hing-Ho Tsang is the Chair in Civil and Structural Engineering at the University of Dundee, with over a decade of academic experience in Australia and Hong Kong. His research focuses on advancing sustainable infrastructure solutions, earthquake resilience, and green technologies to enhance building and infrastructure safety against natural disasters. He holds a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) certification and advises governments and industries on building codes and seismic design guidelines. Tsang chairs the Global Network for Geotechnical Seismic Isolation (GSI) and serves as the Australian National Delegate to the International Association for Earthquake Engineering (IAEE). His expertise spans geotechnical seismic isolation, recycled materials in construction, and structural dynamics, contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) like resilient infrastructure, circular economy, and climate action. With over 200 publications and a career-long impact ranking in Civil Engineering, Tsang has received prestigious awards including the R W Chapman Medal and Research Impact Award. Research Focus: Seismic design, sustainable construction, bio-inspired materials, and geotechnical isolation systems. Awards: Top Cited Article (2021–2022), Teaching Excellence Award (2022), and multiple international recognitions. Leadership Roles: Editorial board member for Geosynthetics International , organizer of the 18th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering technical session. His work emphasizes equity-driven engineering solutions, fostering inclusive and disaster-resilient communities. Current projects include innovative modular building systems and AI-driven seismic response models.
Michael O'Dea is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science at the University of York, United Kingdom. He has held previous academic positions at York St John University, Beijing University of Technology, University of Hull, and Waikato Institute of Technology, bringing extensive international experience in computer science education. He is actively engaged in pedagogical scholarship and leadership in higher education innovation. Senior Lecturer, Department of Computer Science, University of York Senior Lecturer in Computer Science, York St John University Lecturer in Software Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, China Lecturer in Computer Science, University of Hull Lecturer in Information Technology, Waikato Institute of Technology, NZ Dr. O'Dea earned his Ed.D. in Computer Based Learning from the University of Leeds. His research centers on the integration of artificial intelligence into educational practices, with a strong emphasis on AI literacy, the effectiveness of generative AI in teaching and learning, and the evolving landscape of technology acceptance in higher education. He investigates how AI tools can enhance student learning, faculty development, and institutional policy. His recent publications span topics such as AI literacy assessment, the future of online and blended learning, the application of machine learning in earthquake prediction, and international study abroad effectiveness. These works reflect a broad interdisciplinary approach, combining computer science, educational theory, and policy analysis. His scholarship is increasingly focused on the transformative potential of generative AI in academic settings, as evidenced by his leadership in special journal issues and funded research projects. Dr. O'Dea holds significant editorial responsibilities as Associate Editor and Lead Guest Editor for the Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice and as Guest Editor for a special issue in Education Sciences on generative-AI-enhanced learning. He is also an Invited External Academic Affiliate at the King's Institute for Artificial Intelligence, King's College London. Associate Editor - Special Issues, Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice Lead Guest Editor, Special Issue on Technology Acceptance Models, JUTLP (2024) Guest Editor, Special Issue on Generative-AI-Enhanced Learning, Education Sciences Principal Investigator, QAA Collaborative Enhancement Project on Graduate Attributes in the Era of GenAI (2025) He has delivered numerous invited talks and workshops at institutions such as the University of York, Queen Mary University of London, and international conferences including the Academy of Management and the International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Education. His work bridges research, practice, and policy in higher education, with a strong commitment to inclusive and innovative teaching methodologies.
Dr Donya Hajializadeh is an Associate Professor of Structural Engineering at the University of Surrey's School of Sustainability, Civil and Environmental Engineering. She holds multiple professional qualifications including Chartered Engineer (CEng) and European Engineer (EUR ING), and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). Her roles include Director of Employability (since 2020), Deputy Coordinator of the Surrey/ICE Scholarship (since 2019), and IStructE Liaison Officer (since 2021). She is also affiliated with the Surrey Institute for People-Centred Artificial Intelligence (PAI). Her education includes a BEng (Hons), MEng, and PhD in relevant fields. Research focuses on structural health monitoring (SHM), machine learning applications in asset management, and deep learning for damage identification. Key areas include railway bridge dynamics, vibration analysis, and resilience assessment under seismic and environmental hazards. Current PhD students include Chia Sadik (Transport Infrastructure Failure Assessment) and Michael Millgate (Dynamic Characterisation of Tall RC Buildings). Teaching responsibilities include ENG1073 Fluid Mechanics and ENGM054 Earthquake Engineering. Research aligns with sustainable development goals, emphasizing infrastructure sustainability and carbon reduction strategies. Notable projects include rail bridge innovation recognized by the Chief Scientific Adviser Award and presentations on damage identification techniques to government officials. She contributes actively to interdisciplinary initiatives, integrating AI with civil engineering for smarter infrastructure solutions.
Dr. E. John Ward is an Associate Professor in Infrastructure Planning at The Bartlett School of Planning, University College London , where he also serves as Director of the MSc Infrastructure Planning, Appraisal and Development . His work bridges quantitative and qualitative methodologies in infrastructure appraisal, focusing on Cost-Benefit Analysis , Multi-Criteria Analysis , and Strategic Risk Mitigation . Education: BEng/MSc in European Civil Engineering, University of Warwick (1999) MSc/DIC in Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics, Imperial College London (2001) PhD in Computer Modelling of Pedestrian Movement, UCL (2007) Research Focus: Success metrics for Mega Transport Projects and Infrastructure Interdependencies Integration of Sustainable Development Goals into appraisal frameworks Policy-led Multi-Criteria Analysis for complex stakeholder environments Professional Contributions: Senior Research Fellow at the OMEGA Centre External Examiner for MSc SEM4ID, University of Swansea (2018-2023) Consultancy roles for the European Investment Bank , EIB , and governments including Malta and Croatia Key Publications include foundational work on Policy-Led Multi-Criteria Analysis and Risk Management in mega infrastructure projects. His scientific award as Senior Research Fellow at the OMEGA Centre highlights his expertise in strategic infrastructure appraisal.
Dr. Catherine Rychert is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geology and Geophysics at the University of Southampton, where she conducts cutting-edge research in seismology and marine geophysics. She is a member of both the Geology and Geophysics research group and the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute, contributing significantly to our understanding of Earth's interior structure and dynamics through advanced seismic imaging techniques. Her research focuses on several key areas: Seismic imaging of lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary Subduction zone dynamics and slab structure Continental rifting processes Seafloor spreading mechanisms Mantle flow patterns and upwellings Development of novel seismic sensing technologies Dr. Rychert's recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate a strong focus on applying advanced seismic techniques across diverse tectonic settings including subduction zones (Lesser Antilles, Cascadia, Hikurangi), mid-ocean ridges (Mid-Atlantic Ridge), and continental rift systems (East African Rift). A notable trend is her increasing use of distributed acoustic sensing technology for both terrestrial and planetary applications, showing interdisciplinary reach beyond traditional Earth science. Dr. Rychert actively supervises PhD students, including William Arnold Buffett working on the INSPIRE project. She has secured significant research funding from diverse sources including the European Union (EURO-LAB project), National Geographic Society, and Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). Her collaborative network includes Dr. Nicholas Harmon and Professor Derek Keir, with whom she frequently publishes. Her research team conducts fieldwork and data analysis focused on understanding fundamental Earth structure and processes through innovative seismic methodologies, contributing to both theoretical understanding and practical applications in hazard assessment and resource exploration.
Dr. Anwar Ali is a Lecturer in the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at Swansea University's Bay Campus, affiliated with the School of Aerospace, Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. He holds an M.S. in Electronic Engineering (2010) and a Ph.D. in Electronic and Communication Engineering (2014) from Politecnico di Torino, Italy. His research focuses on: Power electronic converters and conditioning systems Embedded systems for aerospace applications Analog/mixed-signal circuit design Satellite technologies including power management Attitude determination and control systems Thermal modeling of aerospace systems Dr. Ali has authored over 50 publications with recent works concentrated in satellite power systems, thermal analysis of spacecraft, machine learning applications in healthcare/robotics, and energy harvesting techniques. His research demonstrates consistent innovation in small satellite technologies and cross-disciplinary applications of electrical engineering principles. He currently supervises PhD projects on: Wireless power transfer for implantable medical devices Integrated power and attitude control optimization for small spacecraft and teaches modules including Analogue Design, Software Engineering, Embedded System Design, and Integrated Circuit Design.
Scott Staniewicz is a researcher at the University of Texas at Austin in the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics. His work focuses on geophysical applications of computer vision and remote sensing, particularly using Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) to detect surface deformation and tropospheric noise features. Academic Affiliation: University of Texas at Austin Research Focus: Surface deformation analysis, InSAR data processing, tropospheric noise mitigation Email: scott.stanie@utexas.edu Staniewicz's research employs computer vision techniques like Laplacian of Gaussian (LoG) filtering to identify spatially coherent deformation features (e.g., subsidence/uplift in oil-producing regions). His methods integrate noise spectrum estimation from real data and simulations to distinguish true deformation signals from atmospheric artifacts. Recent work includes software development for automated InSAR analysis and large-scale studies of anthropogenic deformation in the Permian Basin. He has contributed to open-source tools such as Blobsar (2025a) and Troposim (2025b) for deformation detection, and collaborated on studies analyzing seismic sequences (Skoumal et al., 2020), tropospheric delay corrections (Li et al., 2019; Yang et al., 2024), and statewide seismic networks (Savvaidis et al., 2019). His publications demonstrate expertise in combining computer vision with geophysical data analysis.
Manolis Chatzis is an Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford and a Tutorial Fellow at Hertford College. His research focuses on dynamic systems and earthquake engineering, particularly modeling risks for unanchored structural and non-structural components subjected to ground motions. University of Oxford - Department of Engineering Science Hertford College - Tutorial Fellow His work on system identification and observability of nonlinear systems aims to optimize sensor setups for infrastructure reliability. Recent publications address discontinuous Kalman filters for non-smooth dynamics, energy loss in rocking bodies, and experimental validation of seismic response models. Applications span seismically isolated buildings, museum artifacts, hospital equipment, and supercomputers. Key research trends include: Nonlinear dynamics of rocking/sliding systems Bayesian identification methods Energy dissipation mechanisms 3D motion tracking algorithms Sensor fusion and data-driven modeling His publications since 2010 demonstrate interdisciplinary collaboration across civil, mechanical, and computational engineering domains.
Dr. Marina Bock is a Chartered Civil Engineer and Lecturer in Civil Engineering at Aston University's College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. She specializes in structural engineering with expertise in metallic structures, additive manufacturing, and numerical modeling. Currently accepting PhD students, her work bridges academic research and industry applications in sustainable construction. Her educational background includes: PG Cert in Building and Design and Construction Technology, University of Wolverhampton (2017-2018) PhD in Local Buckling and Web Crippling Response of Stainless Steels, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (2010-2015) MSc in Patch Loading of Hybrid Plate Girders, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (2004-2010) Dr. Bock's research integrates laboratory experiments and numerical modeling to advance metallic structural systems, with pioneering work in additive manufacturing for construction. Her investigations span stainless steel design code development, corrosion prevention in reinforced concrete using hydrogels, and cold-formed steel behavior. Recent projects focus on sustainable infrastructure solutions through novel composite materials. Analysis of her 2022-2025 publications reveals dominant themes in additive manufactured aluminum structures, cold-formed steel design methodologies, and sustainable paving materials for urban heat island mitigation. Her work consistently addresses practical engineering challenges through experimental validation and code-compliant design solutions. Scientific recognition includes: IStructE Academic Research Award Commendation (2021) for research on aluminum SHS/RHS under biaxial bending Dr. Bock has secured significant research funding including a Royal Society Research Grant (£20k, 2023) for additive manufactured Al7075 aluminum and Innovate UK funding (£437k) for UV-reflective resin-based paving. Previous internal projects (£20k) focused on structural aluminum applications. She supervises PhD research in additive manufacturing and corrosion prevention while maintaining industry collaborations. Her experimental work utilizes advanced university laboratories for structural testing, with collaborations spanning European research consortia and industrial partners. Current projects involve multi-institutional teams developing reusable structural systems and solar-energy-harvesting building envelopes.
Dr. Liang Cui is an Associate Professor at the University of Surrey , affiliated with the School of Sustainability, Civil and Environmental Engineering and Institute for Sustainability . With a PhD from University College Dublin (2006) and BE (1st honor) from Tsinghua University (2002) , his career spans geotechnical research and education since joining Surrey in 2009. Key roles: Undergraduate Programme Leader (2020-2022, 2023-on), MSc Programme Leader for Advanced Geotechnical/Civil/Structural Engineering (2022-2023) Professional memberships: Chartered Engineer (CEng), Member of Institution of Civil Engineers (MICE), Fellow of Higher Education Academy (FHEA) His primary research focuses on numerical modeling (DEM/FEM) for geotechnical applications including offshore wind foundations , geothermal energy systems , methane hydrate exploitation , and extra-terrestrial soil mechanics . Secondary interests involve material characterization of polymeric foams , porous media , and biological tissues . Recent 15 publications (2023-2025) demonstrate expertise in soil-structure interaction for renewable energy infrastructure, thermal feedback in groundwater heat pumps, and hypothesis-driven DEM simulations for lunar/martian environments. Collaborative projects span institutions including Tsinghua University , University of Bristol , and Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar . Scientific Awards: Sustainability Fellow (University of Surrey, 2023) Chartered Engineer (CEng) and MICE FHEA for educational contributions Dr. Cui supervises 7 postgraduate researchers and contributes to teaching modules in soil mechanics and energy geotechnics. His work addresses challenges in hybrid marine energy systems , needleless drug delivery , and seismic resilience of critical infrastructure.
