Dr Timothy Olawumi
| Post Nominals | MRICS. FHEA. MGBCN. MHKGBC. AHKIPM |
|---|---|
| Biography | Dr. Timothy Olawumi is an Assistant Professor at the School of Computing, Engineering, and the Built Environment, Edinburgh Napier University, United Kingdom. He is an RICS Chartered Member, a member of the Hong Kong Green Building Council, the Green Building Council of Nigeria (GBCN), BIM Africa, the Hong Kong Institute of Project Management, and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. He also sits on the GBCN's Research and Development Board as well as their Education & Knowledge Development Team. 🥇Research Interests and Awards Timothy's research interests are generally interdisciplinary and centred mainly on sustainable construction and informatics, with a view to addressing sustainability and construction project challenges relating to the built environment using/developing novel technological solutions. It emphasises the application of technologies (Building Information Modelling [BIM], Industry 4.0 [AI, big data, blockchain, cloud-based systems], GIS, RFID, and the like) and data-driven techniques in construction management and engineering issues. Timothy's research interests include construction management, green buildings and sustainability, blockchain and AI in construction, BIM, modular integrated construction/offsite construction, sustainable construction and informatics, construction supply chain management, and digital engineering. He has an excellent track record of highly-cited peer-reviewed research publications and has authored over 70 papers (4000+ citations [h-index: 31; i10-index: 42]) — consisting of journal papers (50+), book chapters (3), technical reports, and conference papers (10+) as of December 2024. When taking all the publications of Dr. Olawumi into account, his over 4000 citations gathered so far place him within the top 1% percentile of scholars in the "Engineering" and "Environment/Ecology" research fields, according to Clarivate Analytics (Web of Science) ESI ranking. More so, four (4) of his published papers are listed as a Top 1% "Highly Cited Paper" in the field of Engineering—Web of Science Core Collection, and another twelve (12) journal papers are categorised as "Hot Paper" and within the top 2-10% of various research categories. His publications' high citation rates and readership, ranking in the top 3% on ResearchGate, validate the significance, impact, and influence of his research. He is a recipient of multiple prestigious and international awards in recognition of his outstanding contributions and sustained national and international acclaim. • Dr Olawumi is ranked among the world's top 2% most-cited scientists by Elsevier BV and Stanford University. • He is recognised as one of the "Top 25 Outstanding Scientists" globally in the field of sustainability (across disciplines) by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). • Other awards include • HKIPM Project Management Achievement Awards in December 2022 (Research Project category). • Research Excellence Award of the BIM Africa Innovation Awards 2021 (out of the 289 nominations received) in November 2021; and • awards from the Australian Institute of Building in 2019 and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB HK) in 2018. He has also secured highly competitive grant funding from the Research Grant Council (RGC Hong Kong) and the Chinese National Engineering Research Centre, including recent funding from the RGC. Also, he secured a HK$60,000 (Hong Kong dollars) grant from the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS) to produce a textbook for publication in 2024, which demonstrates part of his extensive work in research-led knowledge dissemination. ✅External Roles and Leadership Timothy is on the Editorial Board of 6 reputable international journals, four of which are SCI-indexed (Web of Science)—including a Springer Nature journal, Frontiers in Built Environment, Advances in Civil Engineering (Wiley) & Heliyon Engineering (Elsevier)—(with over 170 verified editor records)—contributing to the advancement of knowledge. Moreover, Timothy is a member of the EPSRC Peer Review College and serves as a grant assessor—he has reviewed research funding applications for key funding agencies such as UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) — AHRC, EPSRC, & MRC, as well as the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships. He has also served as a panel member on the EPSRC Strategic Infrastructure Interview Panel in 2024. Internationally, he has served as a grant reviewer for the National Research and Development Agency (ANID), Chile and the Dutch Research Council (NWO), Netherlands. He is an active reviewer for 55 international and renowned journals, of which 43 are SCI-indexed (Publons) with over 250 verified reviews. He has also served as an external PhD examiner at top-ranked universities in Australia and South Africa. Timothy is dedicated to promoting public engagement with science and knowledge transfer within and beyond academic boundaries. He has extensive experience in professional development, leadership, learning, and talent development. His active participation in events such as the Conference Keynote Speakers, UK Construction Carbon Talk Show, QS Academy Seminars, Women Academics in Construction Webinars, Research Bootcamps, and similar events has facilitated knowledge exchange, boosted audience engagement, surpassed attendees expectations, and tackled critical academic and industry challenges. Additionally, he has engaged in industry research with BIMAfrica, contributing to the inaugural "Africa BIM Report." He is actively involved in two significant and impactful national projects with GBCN: the development of a carbon database and a green building rating system. ⭐Career History Timothy has taken up positions at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Department of Building and Real Estate at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, where he conducted major impactful research centred on sustainable construction, modular integrated construction, and blockchain. Also, he has worked as an academic and professional in Nigeria at the Federal University of Technology Akure and some local and multi-national construction companies. More so, he has worked on some projects in Nigeria, including a US$4 million World Bank-funded bridge construction and highway rehabilitation project. He obtained a PhD in Construction Engineering and Management from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (QS World University ranking #57). His doctoral thesis was rated "Excellent"—the highest rating possible—by the board of examiners. With a blend of academic and industry experience, Timothy excels in leading and delivering educational programs, including taught, blended, and online courses at various academic levels in the UK and internationally. At Edinburgh Napier, he leads the strategic development and delivery of a suite of undergraduate (including graduate apprenticeship) and postgraduate modules. He is open to research collaborations and industry consultations. He welcomes applications and is available to supervise potential PhD students in his research areas and broader topics related to the built environment. NAPIER Profile Page: https://napier-repository.worktribe.com/person/2803159/timothy-olawumi |
| Research Interests | • Construction Management • Building Information Modelling (BIM) • Green Buildings and Sustainability • Blockchain Technology in Construction • Offsite Construction • Sustainable Construction Practices • Supply Chain Management in Construction |
| Teaching and Learning | Generally, I'm keen on active student engagement and using various learning technologies to facilitate class activities. Also, incorporating current practice trends in my modules has helped students grasp and apply project-based information and enhanced their employability - with many testimonies on this. |
| ResearcherID | D-9720-2016 |
| Scopus Author ID | https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57195514380 |
| PhD Supervision Availability | Yes |
| PhD Topics | Supervision available in the following research areas: A. Digital Technologies and Innovation • Artificial Intelligence Applications in Construction • Building Information Modelling (BIM) • Construction Informatics • Blockchain Technology in Construction • Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) B. Sustainable Construction • Green Building Design and Assessment • Sustainability in the Built Environment • Circular Economy Principles • Sustainable Supply Chain Management C. Project Management • Construction Management • Construction Project Delivery • Supply Chain Optimization Additional areas of supervision are available within built environment and construction-related disciplines. Research proposals aligned with these themes are welcome. To discuss potential research opportunities, please connect via: • Email or • LinkedIn |