Peter Smith

Professor Peter Smith serves as the Head of School for the School of Built Environment at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). With extensive expertise in project cost management and digital construction technologies, he leads academic initiatives focused on addressing global challenges in construction project delivery, cost overruns, and housing affordability. His leadership extends to international professional organizations in the field of cost engineering and quantity surveying.

Professor Smith specializes in international research into Project Cost Management practices and the implementation of digital technologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the construction industry. His research primarily focuses on addressing the global problem of project cost overruns and extends to housing affordability through project life cycle costing applications. His work has significant implications for measuring the long-term cost of housing and understanding its societal impacts. He teaches across multiple domains including project management, procurement and contract management, project cost management, project risk management, and professional practice.

His recent research outputs demonstrate a clear trend toward integrating artificial intelligence and computer vision technologies with traditional construction management practices. The most recent publications focus on deep learning applications for construction progress monitoring, particularly for indoor construction elements. This represents a shift toward more automated, data-driven approaches to construction management that complement his longstanding work on international standards for project cost management and BIM implementation strategies across different global contexts.

Professor Smith has received numerous prestigious awards for his contributions to the field:

• DAB Outstanding Academic Leadership Award (2020, 2021, 2022)
• South American Cost Engineering Award (2016)
• Distinguished International Fellow Award (2016)
• ICEC Chair Award for significant global contribution (2016)
• AIQS Academic Teaching & Research Award - Runner Up (2014)
• Multiple PAQS Best Academic Paper Awards (2010, 2013)

Professor Smith actively supervises Masters Research and PhD students through the University of Technology Sydney. His funded research projects include "International Project Cost Management Practices," "Digital Technologies Implementation in the Construction Industry," "Project Management," "Housing Affordability Measurement," and "Life Cycle Costing." These projects have received support from various organizations including Beverly Homes Pty Ltd, Leighton Holdings, and the RICS Education Trust, with recent funding extending through 2028.

As Secretary-General of the International Cost Engineering Council and a Distinguished International Fellow, Professor Smith maintains strong connections with global professional bodies. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors. His work bridges academic research with industry practice, particularly through his role as an industry expert providing advisory and expert witness services for construction litigation matters.