Dr Ali Kashani leads pioneering research in sustainable and low-carbon concrete and cementitious materials tailored for the construction and mining industries. His primary focus revolves around the development of innovative high-performance materials and techniques for robot-aided construction, particularly in the realm of 3D printing. Another significant aspect of Dr. Kashani's research lies in sustainable concrete applications aligned with the principles of the 'Circular Economy.' His work encompasses waste valorisation, carbon capture and mineralization, and alkali-activated materials (geopolymers).

Dr Kashani has led and participated in multiple research projects, securing substantial funding from both government entities and private industries, amounting to a total of approximately $7 million. His research outcome includes a patent and over 70 publications, garnering an impressive citation count of about 9,000. Dr Kashani received prestigious awards such as the National Award for 'Excellence in Concrete' in Technology and Innovation from the Concrete Institute of Australia. Additionally, his expertise has been recognized through a Churchill Fellowship for Digital Construction and 3D Printing. His groundbreaking research has been featured in mainstream media outlets, including articles in the Sydney Morning Herald and The Fifth State.

Beyond his research endeavours, Dr Kashani actively participates in professional community engagement. He serves as the Co-Chair of the cement and concrete working group at the Materials Embodied Carbon Leaders Alliance (MECLA) and has previously been a committee member of the Concrete Institute of Australia in New South Wales. His commitment to fostering innovation is evident in his role as a judge for the Cement, Concrete, Aggregates Australia (CCAA) Innovation Awards. Moreover, he contributes his expertise as a senior committee member of The International Union of Laboratories and Experts in Construction Materials, Systems, and Structures (RILEM), along with active involvement in various ASTM committees. Dr Kashani has further demonstrated his leadership by establishing the Innovative Decarbonised Infrastructure initiative at UNSW.