Dr. Muhammad Umar Farooq is a Lecturer and Module Director at York St John University's London Campus , specializing in Business, Marketing, and Project Management education for postgraduate students. He joined the university in 2022 and previously held roles as an Associate Lecturer at the University of West London, while also contributing to teaching and supervision at the University of East London and Regent’s University London. He holds a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA), an MBA, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership and Strategy, coupled with the prestigious Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) distinction. His research focuses on digital marketing, SME innovation, AI applications in content creation, and project management strategies. Notable areas include generative AI for SME competitiveness, sustainable lean practices in construction, and agile methodologies in software development. He actively contributes to academic governance as an external examiner at Northumbria University and the University of Huddersfield. Teaching modules include Marketing Communication , Digital Marketing Strategy , Strategic Project Management , and Applied Research Project . His work bridges academic rigor with industry insights, emphasizing practical applications for organizational success. Research Awards: Recognized as FHEA. Professional Contributions: External examiner roles, LinkedIn engagement, and RaY Postgraduate Research supervision.
Filip Biljecki is an Assistant Professor jointly appointed at the Department of Architecture within the College of Design and Engineering and the Department of Real Estate at the NUS Business School, National University of Singapore. He is the founder and principal investigator of the NUS Urban Analytics Lab and was awarded the prestigious NUS Presidential Young Professorship in 2020. With over 150 peer-reviewed publications, his research bridges geomatic engineering, geospatial technologies, and urban data science to advance digital twins and data-driven urban planning. Dr. Biljecki's educational background includes: PhD in 3D GIS (cum laude), Delft University of Technology, Netherlands (2017) MSc in Geomatics, Delft University of Technology, Netherlands (2010) BSc in Geodesy and Geoinformatics, University of Zagreb, Croatia (2008) His research interests focus on emerging urban data sources, particularly urban imagery, and their application in 3D city modeling, digital twins, and GeoAI. He explores how crowdsourcing and open science can inform cutting-edge techniques for urban sensing and analytics at city-scale. His work significantly contributes to establishing smart cities through innovative methods that integrate recent advancements in computer science, geomatics, and urban data science. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on street view imagery applications for urban analytics, digital twin development, and geospatial AI. His research spans multiple domains including urban morphology, environmental assessment, public health applications, and urban comfort analysis. The interdisciplinary nature of his work is evident in collaborations with researchers from diverse fields, producing impactful studies that address complex urban challenges through innovative methodological approaches. His notable scientific achievements include: Annual Teaching Excellence Award (ATEA), 2025 College Educator Award AY2023/2024, 2025 Urban Informatics Paper of the Year Award, 2023 Top 2% scientists worldwide (Stanford University), 2021 Presidential Young Professorship (NUS), 2020 As an educator, Dr. Biljecki has supervised dozens of students leading to publications in leading journals and placements at top universities and organizations. He has delivered talks at over 120 universities and organizations worldwide including MIT, Stanford, Harvard, and ETH Zurich. His research is supported through various grants and affiliations including his role as Principal Investigator at the Future Cities Lab Global at the Singapore-ETH Centre. The NUS Urban Analytics Lab, which he established, brings together scholars from diverse disciplines to drive research on making cities smarter and more data-driven. The lab has developed innovative tools like ZenSVI for street view imagery analysis and has produced influential research on urban digital twins, urban morphology, and GeoAI applications. Through his leadership, the lab continues to pioneer methods that advance data-driven urban planning and smart city development.
Fabio Sigrist is a Professor of Applied Statistics and Data Science at the Institute of Financial Services Zug (IFZ) , part of the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts . He also holds a Senior Scientist and Lecturer position at the Seminar for Statistics, ETH Zurich . His career spans academic research, industry consulting, and project leadership in finance and data science. PhD in Statistics (2013), ETH Zurich MSc in Mathematics with distinction (2008), ETH Zurich MEd in Mathematics Education (2008), ETH Zurich Sigrist’s research focuses on integrating Machine Learning with Spatial Statistics for applications in Financial Econometrics and Credit Risk . His work includes developing novel algorithms like GPBoost and KTBoost , advancing spatio-temporal modeling , and applying tree-based boosting to financial problems. Projects such as CreHos (credit risk in hospitality) and NISMO (interpretable real estate modeling) highlight his interdisciplinary approach. His publications address challenges in large-scale spatial data , loss given default modeling , and stock volatility prediction . He contributes to software development with tools like spate (R package) and varycoef (spatially varying coefficients).
Prof Nigel Mehdi is the Director of the DPhil in Sustainable Urban Development at the University of Oxford's Department for Continuing Education, where he also serves as a Departmental Lecturer. He is a Fellow of Kellogg College, Oxford, and holds an Honorary Professorship in the School of Computer Science at the University of Birmingham. Additionally, he serves as Programme Director for the UAE National Artificial Intelligence Programme. Education: PhD in Real Estate Economics from London School of Economics Postgraduate qualifications in Software Engineering, Politics, Development and Democratic Education, Sustainable Development, Digital Education, and Professional Education and Training Research Interests: Prof Mehdi's research sits at the intersection of urban economics , digital technologies , and sustainable development . His work focuses on applying advanced technologies like AI and big data analytics to urban challenges. Key areas include: Real estate sustainability and economics Smart cities and intelligent buildings Spatial big data applications in urban planning Digital education for sustainability Urban resilience and governance Property technology (PropTech) innovations Research Trends: His recent publications demonstrate a clear focus on future-oriented urban governance , with multiple 'Executive Outlook' reports examining privacy, governance, money, ESG, and work in 2030+ scenarios. These works bridge academic research with practical policy implications for urban development. His earlier works focus on technological applications in surveying and urban development, showing an evolution from technical implementation to strategic foresight. Awards and Recognition: OUSU Outstanding Tutor (2017) Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Fellow of the British Computer Society Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Teaching and Supervision: Prof Mehdi leads the DPhil in Sustainable Urban Development programme and teaches on the Master's in Sustainable Urban Development. He welcomes doctoral applications in areas including: Real estate sustainability Spatial big data and smart cities Digital economies and urban analytics AI applications in urban contexts Urban resilience and governance Professional Roles: He serves as Chair of the UK Education Standards Board for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and as an Accreditation Team member for the Institution of Engineering and Technology. His consultancy work spans public and private sectors, including governments, NGOs, and global corporations.
Keller Easterling is a Professor at the Yale School of Architecture and director of its Master of Environmental Design program. An architect, writer, and theorist, her work interrogates infrastructure space as a medium of political and social innovation. Key themes include global development , spatial justice , and climate resilience , with projects like ATTTNT (2023–2024), a reparations-focused land trust network, and Switch (2015), a mobility framework addressing urban sprawl. Books : Extrastatecraft (2014), Subtraction (2014), Medium Design (2021). Exhibitions : Featured in the Venice Biennale (2014), Architectural League (New York), and the Rotterdam Biennale . Research : Explores spatial products of capitalism , decolonial landholding , and non-extractive design . Engages with HBCUs and land activists to operationalize community economies and mutualist infrastructures . Select Articles : Contributions to Harvard Design Magazine , Domus , and e-flux , analyzing infrastructure as design and spatial counter-logics . Teaching & Collaborations : Leads design studios on medium design and infrastructural reprogramming . Collaborated with institutions like MIT , Guggenheim , and Prada , with recent talks at the European Graduate School (2025) and MoMA (2025).
Dr. Michel Chaaya is a Senior Lecturer in Civil Engineering at the University of Sydney, with expertise in project management, construction engineering, and sustainability. He holds a PhD from the University of Sydney and is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Australia and the College of Leadership and Management. His research focuses on innovative project management methodologies, sustainable construction practices, and BIM implementation. Education: BE, ME(Res), PhD in Project Management and IT from the University of Sydney. Research Interests: Enhancing project success through risk management, modular construction, and BIM adoption. He emphasizes communication, sustainability, and community wellbeing in construction projects. Recent projects include studies on net-zero steel production, BIM in SMEs, and NCC 2022 energy requirements. Awards: ARCHIBUS Excellence Awards (2017-2013), Best Residential Development Awards (2009-2010), and Australian Postgraduate Award (1997). Teaching: Courses include Project Planning, Professional Practice in Engineering Management, and Global Project Management. He has supervised over 250 theses since 2003. Industry Roles: Director of Business Development for multiple organizations, specializing in construction, IT systems, and real estate. He advises on complex project delivery and stakeholder management.
Seung-Hyun Hong is an Associate Professor and Associate Head of the Department of Economics at the University of Illinois, affiliated with the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. His research focuses on industrial organization, real estate economics, and digital technology impacts. He has contributed to understanding housing market dynamics, real estate brokerage practices, and the effects of digital platforms on industries like music and postal services. Key works include analyzing financing risks in housing markets and the influence of Napster on music sales. His research bridges theoretical frameworks with empirical applications, addressing issues of market efficiency, consumer behavior, and regulatory implications. Notable publications include studies on housing finance risks (2024), real estate agent influence (2022), and Napster's economic impact (2004–2013). His work often employs difference-in-differences approaches and explores strategic behaviors in markets. Hong's research spans multiple disciplines, including urban economics, consumer behavior, and technological adoption patterns. He maintains an active academic profile with collaborations across institutions. His advising and grants are not explicitly listed, but his extensive publication record indicates sustained research activity. Hong is based at the David Kinley Hall campus in Urbana, Illinois.
Mustafa Aksu is a Professor at Istanbul University's Faculty of Law, Department of Civil Law. His research spans Civil Law , Intellectual Property Law , Information Law , and EU Legal Harmonization . He has advised 26 theses and published extensively on digital rights, family law, and obligations law. Research Interests: Focus on AI and law, copyright exhaustion in digital markets, EU-Turkey legal alignment, domain name regulation, and protection of computer programs. Publications: Recent works include AI's legal frameworks (2023), medical informatics law (2021), and digital exhaustion doctrine (2016). His research emphasizes cross-border IP enforcement and EU court precedents. Contact: Email aksum@istanbul.edu.tr | Office: Hukuk Fakültesi Binası, İkinci Kat, Oda No: 38, Beyazıt, Istanbul, Turkey.
Arun Rai serves as Regents’ Professor and Howard S. Starks Distinguished Chair at Georgia State University's Robinson College of Business, where he co-founded and directs the Center for Digital Innovation. His career spans interdisciplinary research bridging information systems with societal impact through industry-university collaborations across global sectors. His educational foundation includes: Ph.D. from Kent State University MBA from Clarion University of Pennsylvania M.S. from Birla Institute of Technology & Science Rai's research explores digital innovation , AI governance , and societal impacts of technology through investigations of platform ecosystems, supply chain transformation, and digital solutions for poverty and health disparities. His work uniquely connects technical systems design with behavioral and organizational outcomes across contexts from rural India to global corporations. Recent publications (2023-2025) reveal intensifying focus on AI-human collaboration , digital risk assessment , and platform governance tensions , with growing emphasis on healthcare applications and equity implications. The trajectory shows evolution from organizational IT adoption toward complex sociotechnical systems addressing global challenges. His scientific recognition includes: Fellow of the Association for Information Systems Distinguished Fellow of the INFORMS Information Systems Society LEO Award for Lifetime Exceptional Achievement Rai has mentored over 60 doctoral students (30+ as chair) with alumni now holding leadership positions globally. His research attracts major funding from Apollo Hospitals, China Mobile, IBM, Intel, UPS, and federal agencies, enabling real-world implementations like the Global Supply Chain Solutions Program during UPS's digital transformation. Current initiatives focus on generative AI in education and healthcare IT policy impacts. As director of the Center for Digital Innovation, he cultivates cross-sector partnerships advancing digital transformation through collaborative research on AI governance, platform ecosystems, and societal impact measurement.
Professor Efthymios Pavlidis is a faculty member in the Department of Economics at Lancaster University Management School (LUMS). He holds the rank of Professor and specializes in macroeconomics, international finance, and time series econometrics. His research focuses on housing market dynamics through collaborations like the International Housing Observatory (with the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas) and the UK Housing Observatory. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, reflecting his commitment to academic excellence in teaching and research. His research interests include speculative bubble detection, real estate price forecasting, and testing parity conditions in financial markets. Pavlidis actively supervises PhD students in applied time series econometrics, emphasizing practical applications in financial markets and housing economics. He is involved in numerous academic activities, including organizing conferences and workshops such as the Dynare Conference and the Lancaster Economics Seminar. Key contributions include developing econometric methods for detecting market exuberance and analyzing real exchange rates. His work bridges theoretical econometrics with practical policy implications, particularly in housing and energy markets. Pavlidis collaborates internationally, evidenced by his participation in global academic networks and institutions like the European Economic Association and the Royal Economic Society. His teaching includes the course ECON222 Intermediate Macroeconomics I, and he maintains an office in the Management School (B015), with weekly office hours on Tuesdays. A comprehensive overview of his research and projects is available at his personal webpage: https://sites.google.com/view/etpavlidis/ .
Hyejin Ku is a Full Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at York University's Faculty of Science. Her research focuses on the intersection of Mathematical Finance and Machine Learning, addressing challenges in risk measurement, portfolio optimization, and quantitative finance. She develops advanced mathematical models to enhance decision-making through reinforcement learning and data analytics. Notable projects include novel algorithms for credit rating prediction using neural networks and sequence-based clustering for credit risk assessment. Her work integrates applied mathematics with real-world financial applications, such as systemic risk reduction in multi-layer networks and option pricing under liquidity constraints. She holds a prominent position in mathematical finance, contributing to both theoretical advancements and practical solutions for financial markets. Her research trends emphasize interdisciplinary approaches, combining machine learning techniques with financial modeling to solve complex problems in risk management and asset valuation. Her publications span over two decades, showcasing contributions to portfolio optimization, derivatives pricing, and computational finance. Dr. Ku is affiliated with York University’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics, where she contributes to academic leadership and research mentorship. Her office is located in DB 2025, and she can be reached at hku@yorku.ca.
Hannu Ojala is a Professor at the Business School, Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies , with affiliations at both the University of Eastern Finland (Kuopio) and Aalto University School of Business (Espoo) . His research focuses on Auditing , Corporate Governance , and Tax Aggressiveness , particularly in small private companies. Audit Market Dynamics Tax-Regulation Interplay Country-Level Audit Determinants XBRL and Digital Reporting Ojala's publications (2019-2025) analyze audit fee variations across 27 countries, tax compliance in Finland, and the role of Big4 auditors in shaping global practices. He has collaborated with researchers in Germany, New Zealand, and Sweden on institutional factors affecting audit pricing and quality. Research Trends: His work reveals that economic development and regulatory environments explain 84% of audit fee differences globally. Sociological factors like generalized trust and corporate culture also influence auditing standards. Key Collaborations: Ojala has co-authored studies with Juha Kinnunen , Lasse Niemi , and Markus Mättö , examining how audit quality correlates with tax return adjustments in small businesses.
Girija Chetty is a Full Professor in Computing and Information Technology at the University of Canberra's School of Information Technology and Systems. She holds a PhD in Information Sciences and Engineering and has over 35 years of experience in academia and research leadership roles, including Head of Software Engineering and Program Director of ITS courses. Her research focuses on multimodal systems, medical image computing, AI, and data science. She leads a dynamic research group comprising PhD students, postdocs, and international collaborators. Education: PhD in Information Sciences (Australia, 2007), MSc and BSc in Electrical Engineering/Computer Science (India). She has held visiting roles at Deakin University and CSIRO. Research interests span computer vision, pattern recognition, and medical diagnostics, with 200+ publications in top journals/conferences. Her work addresses global challenges via AI-driven solutions in healthcare (e.g., pain assessment systems, malaria diagnostics) and sustainability (SDG impact frameworks). Projects include AI for remote ultrasound imaging and smart farming systems. She actively collaborates with industry and global research institutions. Grants/Projects: 12 funded initiatives including AI for extreme environment healthcare, malaria pathogen detection, and big data-driven population health. Awards: Senior IEEE/Australian Computer Society membership, editorial roles in IEEE/Elsevier journals. Labs/Teams: Leads a multidisciplinary research group focused on medical AI and multimodal systems.
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.
Luca D'Acci is an Associate Professor in Sustainable Urban Forms and Evaluations at the Polytechnic of Turin, affiliated with the Interuniversity Department of Territorial Sciences, Planning and Policies (DIST). He holds additional affiliations as a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Portsmouth and as a member of research networks at the University of Birmingham and Erasmus University Rotterdam. His academic journey includes international roles such as Head of Urban Environment at Erasmus University Rotterdam and visiting researcher positions at the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and ETH Zurich. Education: MSc in Architecture-Science of Cities, Polytechnic of Turin (2003, cum laude) PhD in Economic Assessments, Polytechnic of Turin (2007) BSc in Mathematics, University of Turin (2007) BSc in Construction Engineering, Polytechnic of Turin (2009, cum laude) Post-PhD in Urbanism, University of Campinas (2010) Anthropology, University of Oxford (2020, 20 credits) Luca D'Acci’s research focuses on urban morphology, urban allometry, isobenefit urbanism, and the socio-economic-environmental impacts of urban form. His work bridges humanistic and quantitative approaches, integrating engineering, architecture, economics, and anthropology. He investigates how urbanicity, urban form, and spatial configuration influence well-being, sustainability, and resilience. His recent publications (2023–2025) reveal a strong trend toward computational modeling and simulation of urban growth, particularly through the lens of isobenefit urbanism —a concept he has pioneered. These works combine cellular automata, agent-based modeling, and morphogenetic frameworks to simulate sustainable urban futures. He also explores fractal patterns in housing markets, the psychology of urban living, and the mental costs of urbanicity. His research spans disciplines including urban science, environmental psychology, urban economics, and complex systems. Scientific Awards and Honors: Fellow, Erasmus Happiness Economics Research Organisation (EHERO), Erasmus University Rotterdam (2022–) Senior Research Fellow, University of Portsmouth (2017–) Fellow, Cluster for Sustainable Cities, University of Portsmouth (2017–2020) Fellow, Urban Morphology Research Group, University of Birmingham (2016–2021) Member, Cambridge Networks Network, University of Cambridge (2016–) Honorary Fellow, University of Birmingham (2016–) Luca D'Acci actively advises PhD students as a member of the Doctoral Collegium for Urban and Regional Development at Politecnico di Torino (2020–2024). He has secured and contributed to significant research grants, including projects funded by the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, European Commission, EPSRC, Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, and University College London (Future Urban Growth Lab). His editorial roles include membership on the boards of PLOS ONE , PLOS Mental Health , and Humanities & Social Sciences Communications . Labs and Research Networks: Future Urban Growth Lab (UCL, 2019–) LEUr Urban Ecology Lab (UFSC, 2022–) URban Evolution Morphology (UReM, 2024–) Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam (EHERO, 2022–2024) Spatial Intelligence Unit (SPIN Unit), Estonia (2013–) International Society of Biourbanism (2013–)
/prod01/yorksjacuk/media/content-assets/staff-profile-images/1705856253539.jpg)
