Researcher

My Expertise

My research is positioned at the intersection of sustainability and digital construction, integrating methodologies from diverse disciplines to advance knowledge and practice in the built environment. Central to my work is the application of construction informatics—including Virtual Reality (VR), Blockchain Technology (BCT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI)—to address pressing challenges related to health and safety, technology adoption, and information management. Furthermore, I am deeply invested in examining human behavioral dynamics alongside the multifaceted implications of technological adoption, encompassing both the opportunities, such as economic and social advancements, and the risks, including privacy concerns, data-sharing vulnerabilities, security challenges, and ethical considerations, within the built environment.

Keywords

Fields of Research (FoR)

Building, Architecture management

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Biography

I am a Professor of Construction Management at the School of Built Environment, UNSW Sydney.

My research is situated within the interdisciplinary domains of sustainability and digital construction, emphasizing the application of advanced construction informatics—including Virtual Reality (VR), Blockchain Technology (BCT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI)—to address critical challenges in health and safety, technological adoption, and...view more

I am a Professor of Construction Management at the School of Built Environment, UNSW Sydney.

My research is situated within the interdisciplinary domains of sustainability and digital construction, emphasizing the application of advanced construction informatics—including Virtual Reality (VR), Blockchain Technology (BCT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI)—to address critical challenges in health and safety, technological adoption, and information management. Furthermore, I am deeply engaged in investigating the complex interplay between human behaviors and the broader implications of technological adoption within the built environment, encompassing economic and social opportunities as well as potential risks. These risks include concerns related to privacy, data-sharing, security, and ethical considerations. I have contributed to the academic community through the production of over 120 research outputs, including peer-reviewed journal articles, research monographs, book chapters, and conference proceedings. My research collaborations encompass a wide range of international networks, spanning regions such as New Zealand, Hong Kong, Mainland China, the Netherlands, Singapore, the United States, Japan, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom. In terms of editorial leadership, I was the Associate Editor of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)’s International Journal: Management, Procurement and Law, and currently hold the following positions: 

Assistant Specialty Editor of the ASCE Journal of Construction Engineering and Management,

Associate Editor of the ASCE Journal of Legal Affairs and Dispute Resolution in Engineering and Construction, and

Editorial Board Member of an international journal - Safety Science

I also actively contribute to the professional community through the roles with The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), where I serve as an Assessor for critical professional activities, including the Assessment of Professional Competence and Accreditation of Construction Programmes. Moreover, I am a Member of the College of Assessors, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) in New Zealand and an External Assessor for the Research Grants Council (RGC) under the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.


My Grants

  • Building Research Levy Fund, Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ) (PI, 2020-2022); (PI, 2020-2022)
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) - (CoI, 2023-2026);(CoI, 2019-2022)
  • Visiting Fellowship 2014, Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) (PI)
  • General Research Fund (GRF), University Grants Council, Hong Kong SAR Government (PI, awarded, but withdrew due to relocation, 2010);
  • Competitive Earmarked Research Grant (CERG), University Grants Council, Hong Kong SAR Government - (CoI, 2008-2010); (Co-I, 2007-2009)

My Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in Construction Management, City University of Hong Kong, 2005
  • B.Sc. (First-class Honours) in Quantity Surveying, City University of Hong Kong, 2001
  • Professional Member, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS) - Chartered Quantity Surveyor
  • Member, Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (MAIQS) - Certified Quantity Surveyor
  • Chartered Member, The Chartered Institute of Building (MCIOB) - Chartered Construction Manager 
  • Member, American Society of Civil Engineers (MASCE)

My Awards

  • Best Paper Award (Runner Up) - ASCE Journal of Legal Affairs and Dispute Resolution in Engineering and Construction (2019)
  • Best Paper Award - The 6th International Conference on Construction Engineering and Project Management, Oct 11-14, Busan, Korea (2015)
  • Fellowship - Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)(2014) ASCE Outstanding Reviewer – ASCE Journal of Legal Affairs and Dispute Resolution in Engineering and Construction (2013, 2019)
  • Best Forum or Synopsis Paper Award - ASCE Journal of Legal Affairs and Dispute Resolution in Engineering and Construction (2012)
  • Grand Prize - the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors Outstanding Dissertation Award – PhD Category (2002)

My Research Activities

My publication metrics can be found here:

Scopus 

Web of Science 

Google Scholar


My Research Supervision


Supervision keywords


Areas of supervision

 

I am available to supervise MPhil or PhD students in the following areas:

Sustainable Construction - Waste Management and Design for Deconstruction (DfD)

Construction Informatics (VR, AI, BCT) - application to safety management, contract management, dispute management, and project management.  

Data Management in Digital Transformation - ethics and privacy 

Construction Health and Safety

 

 


Currently supervising

Topics for Current PhD Supervisions:

1. Developing Integrating Multimodal Large Language Models and Agents for Construction and Demolition Waste Management,

2. Developing an Assessment Tool for IoT Sensor-Driven Predictive Maintenace in Hospital HVAC Systems for Energy Efficiency, 

3. Developing Integrating Multimodal Large Language Models to Manage Mental Fatigue for machinery operators in the Construction Sector, and

4. Developing Digital Mental Health Interventions (DMHI) for Construction Workers  

 


My Engagement

 

 

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Location

Room 3001, Level 3, Anita B. Lawrence Centre

Contact

+61 2 9348 1603