Melody Khadem Sameni

Melody Khadem Sameni is an Associate Professor of Rail Transportation Engineering and Programme Director of the MSc Railway Systems Engineering and Integration at the University of Birmingham Dubai Campus. She previously served as Assistant Professor and Head of the Railway Transportation Group at Iran University of Science and Technology. Her expertise spans railway operations, management, systems engineering, and sustainability.

• Education:
  • PhD in Civil Engineering, University of Southampton, 2012
  • MSc in Socio-Economic Systems Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, 2008
  • BSc in Railway Transportation Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, 2003

Her research focuses on optimizing railway operations through systems engineering approaches, addressing capacity, demand analysis, safety, and sustainability. Notable contributions include work on railway noise impacts, high-speed rail demand forecasting, and gender differences in transportation preferences.

She actively collaborates with global organizations like the International Union of Railways (UIC) and International Association of Public Transport (UITP). Awards include the ICE Best Innovative Poster Award and a University of Southampton personal development award. She has chaired sessions at major conferences such as WCRR and TRB, and served as a panellist for UITP Women in Public Transport 2024.

Her publications span topics like railway capacity optimization, environmental impact assessments, and post-pandemic transport behavior. She holds leadership roles in academic committees, including Co-Chair of Special Interest Group A3 (Rail Transport) at the World Conference on Transport Research Society.