Awad S. Hanna

Dr. Awad S. Hanna is the BOLDT Company Professor and Chair of the Construction Engineering and Management Program within the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He also serves as Director of the Construction and Materials Support Center (CMSC) in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Internationally recognized as the most productive researcher in construction labor productivity, Dr. Hanna has authored hundreds of refereed journal articles and multiple books, collaborating with leading industry bodies such as the Construction Industry Institute, ELECTRI International, NECA, MCF, and the New Horizon Foundation.

Education

• PhD, 1989 – Pennsylvania State University
• MS, 1986 – Pennsylvania State University
• BS – Cairo University

Research Interests

Dr. Hanna’s scholarship converges on the nexus of labor, project, and organizational productivity. His work spans Integrated Project Delivery, Lean Construction, Construction Readiness, Delay & Change-Order Management, Contractual Risk Allocation, and the development of the TIME© framework (Tools, Information, Materials, Environment). He leverages advanced data analytics, augmented reality, and benchmarking methodologies to advance both academic understanding and practical industry application.

Research Impact & Trends

Across his recent publications, a clear trajectory emerges: integrating emerging technologies—particularly augmented reality and BIM—with rigorous quantitative models to enhance safety, productivity, and project performance. Studies explore how interpersonal conflicts influence safety outcomes, benchmark global project metrics, and clarify legal risk allocation, reflecting a holistic approach that marries empirical data with actionable managerial frameworks.

Scientific Awards & Honors

• ASCE Life Member (2020)
• Elected Member, National Academy of Construction (2018)
• CII Best Presentation Award (2017)
• ASCE Thomas Fitch Rowland Prize (2015)
• ASCE Construction Management Award (2010)
• ASCE Journal Best Paper Award (2010)
• ASCE Fellow (2009)
• Builder Edge Award – Best CEM Program (2006)
• CII Outstanding Researcher Award (2006)
• ASCE Journal of Management in Engineering Best Peer Review Paper (2002)
• Polygon Outstanding Instructor Award, UW-Madison College of Engineering (1997)
• Canadian Construction Research Board International Competition – Best Innovative Ideas (1990)

Teaching & Student Engagement

Dr. Hanna delivers a rich portfolio of undergraduate and graduate courses including Integrated Project Estimating and Scheduling, Construction Project Management, Research Methods in CEM, and Legal Aspects of Engineering. He is the founder and faculty advisor of the campus Construction Club, fostering the next generation of industry leaders.

Laboratory & Center Leadership

As Director of the Construction and Materials Support Center (CMSC), Dr. Hanna steers multi-disciplinary research initiatives that bridge academic inquiry with Wisconsin DOT practice, focusing on materials performance, quality management, and innovative construction technologies.