Key details
Dr Nnedinma Umeokafor
Associate Professor in Project and Safety Innovations
Nnedinma is an internationally recognised and established authority in occupational health and safety, regulatory innovation, and project management. His work has influenced academic discourse, professional practice, and public engagement across multiple continents, with a particular focus on enhancing safety, health, and well-being in occupational settings and improving project delivery—especially within construction and engineering.
Nnedinma has authored over 100 research outputs, including publications in high-impact journals such as Elsevier Safety Science (Q1), book chapters, and international conference proceedings like CIB W099. He is the first or sole author on more than 50 of these works. His research has attracted funding from organisations including the British Council, British Academy, and Lloyd’s Register Foundation, and he is a full member of peer review colleges such as EPSRC, ESRC, ARC, and the British Council.
He holds several editorial positions, including associate editor for Management, Procurement and Law (Emerald Publishing), academic editor for Depression and Anxiety (Q1, IF 7.4), and guest editor for journals such as the International Journal of Construction Management. As editor-in-chief, he led a global collaboration of 53 authors to produce the Handbook of Drivers of Continuous Improvement in Construction Health and Safety (Taylor & Francis), a pioneering work that leverages best practices to improve safety and well-being in construction. He regularly reviews for over 11 high-ranking journals and major conferences, including Construction Management and Economics, Architectural Engineering and Design Management, and CIB W099 and W123. He is also a member of CIB W078 (Information Technology for Construction) and CIB W099 (Safety, Health and Wellbeing in Construction).
Nnedinma’s public engagement is global and impactful. He has delivered CPDs and keynote talks at major events, including serving as a featured expert in an IOSH Global webinar and as a keynote speaker at two African Research Universities Alliance Conference series. He previously served as a STEM Ambassador, promoting careers in construction and the built environment, and is a member of the Health in Construction Leadership Group UK.
He has held academic positions at Liverpool John Moores University, University of East London, University College of Estate Management (UCEM), and Kingston University, where he was Senior Lecturer in Construction Law and Course Leader for undergraduate programmes. He has also held consultancy and industry roles in the UK and abroad, most recently as a Health and Safety Manager. Dr Umeokafor has served as an external examiner for PhD and MSc research projects and academic programmes in the UK and internationally, including institutions in Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies.
His professional affiliations include Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), Fellow of the Association for Project Management (FAPM), Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Building (MCIOB), and Certified Member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (CertIOSH). He mentors CIOB chartership applicants and served as Secretary of the IOSH London Metropolitan Construction Section. His contributions have been recognised through multiple awards, including the Taylor & Francis Outstanding Monograph Award, CIB W099 Bursary Award, UCEM Principal’s Development Award, and Best Paper Award at the 9th World Construction Symposium in Sri Lanka.
Nnedinma holds a PhD focused on complex regulatory systems in construction health and safety and their contextual influences. His academic qualifications also include an MSc in Project Management (sustainable behaviour dissertation), an MSc in Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management (digital technologies in infrastructure development dissertation), a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP), and the NCRQ/AIM Level 6 Diploma in Applied Health and Safety (Dip NCRQ)
Responsibilities within the university
- Associate Professor in Project and Safety Innovations
- Local Health and Safety Officer
- Member, Faculty of Engineering and Science Research Ethics Committee.
Awards
- Finalist, National Professional Excellence Award (Research, Development & Technology), Australian Institute of Building, 2025.
- Winner, Professional Excellence Award (Research, Development & Technology), Australia Institute of Building NSW Chapter, 2025.
- ScholarGPS Top Scholar (Top 0.5% globally), 2024.
- Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB) Best Paper Award, 9th World Construction Symposium, 9-10 July 2021, Sri Lanka. 2021
- 2019 Taylor & Francis Outstanding Book and Digital Product Award in the Outstanding Monograph in the Engineering Category., Taylor & Francis. 2020
- University College of Estate Management ‘Teaching Excellence Awards’ of ‘Innovation in Teaching and Learning’ nomination, University College of Estate Management. 2019
- University College of Estate Management ‘Teaching Excellence Awards’ of ‘Recognition of Excellence’., University College of Estate Management. 2019
- University College of Estate Management Values award for ‘Passion’, Winner of ‘University College of Estate Management. 2018
- W099 International Health and Safety Conference Bursary Award, International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction W099. 2015
- Runner-up for Best Research Results, Plymouth University’s Faculty of Business 10th Annual PhD conference, 4 – 5th June 2015. 2015
Recognition
Honorary Appointments and Academic Service
- 2026–present: Visiting Full Professor, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
- 2026-present: Visiting Full Professor, Universitas Pembangunan Jaya, Indonesia
- 2024: Visiting Professor, Fayoum University, Egypt
- 2022–present: Member, Chartered Institute of Building Accreditation Panel, UK
- 2021–present: Head, Scientific Committee and Co-Organiser, Construction Business and Project Management Conference, South Africa
Professional application and qualifications
- Chartered Construction Manager, Chartered Institute of Building.
- Chartered Member (MCIOB), Chartered Institute of Building.
- Fellow (FHEA), AdvanceHE (previously Higher Education Academy).
- Certified Member (CertIOSH), Institution of Occupational Safety and Health.
- Fellow (FAPM), Association for Project Management.
- Member, Health in Construction Leadership group UK
- Member (MIntLM), Institute of Leadership and Management. Sept 2019 to Dec 2021
- London Metropolitan Construction Sections Executive Committee, Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), Secretary (2021-2024.
External Examination Experience
- 2025–2026: Leeds Beckett University – External Examiner (Professional Doctorate)
- 2025–2026: Glasgow Caledonian University – External Examiner (PhD)
- 2024–2025: Manchester Metropolitan University, UK – External Examiner (PhD)
- 2024: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, South Africa – External Examiner (PhD)
- 2024: University of Johannesburg, South Africa – External Examiner (DPhil in Construction Management)
- 2023: University of Greenwich, UK – Internal Examiner (PhD)
- 2022: University of Johannesburg, South Africa – External Examiner (DPhil, Engineering Management)
- 2021: University of Johannesburg, South Africa – External Examiner (DPhil, Engineering Management)
- 2020: Kingston University London, UK – Independent Chair (PhD)
- 2023–date: Manchester Metropolitan University, UK – External Examiner (MSc Occupational Safety, Health and Environment)
- 2021–2025: Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK – External Examiner (MSc Occupational Safety, Health and Well-being – TNE Singapore)
- 2023–2025: Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK – External Examiner (MSc Occupational Safety, Health and Well-being)
- 2022/23–2025: University of West Indies, Jamaica – External Examiner (MSc Construction Management)
- 2021–2025: De Montfort University, UK – External Examiner (BEng Construction and Project Management – TNE Sri Lanka)
- 2020–2023: University of Cape Town, South Africa, – External Examiner (Three MSc theses examinations).
Editorial and Peer Review Roles
- Associate Editor, Management, Procurement and Law (ICE) (Q2, Safety), 2024–present
- Academic Editor, Depression and Anxiety (Q1), 2024–present
- Associate Editor, Journal of Construction Business and Management, 2022–present
- External Editor, Nigerian Journal of Technological Research, 2025–present
- Guest Editor, Special Issue, Energies (Q1), 2022–2023
- Guest Editor, Special Issues, International Journal of Construction Management (Q1), 2021–2024
- Co-Guest Editor, Special Issue, Sustainability (Q2), 2025–2027
- Guest Editor, Special Issue, International Journal of Construction Supply Chain Management (Q3), 2021–2023
- Editor-in-Chief, Book: Handbook of Drivers of Continuous Improvement in Construction Health, Safety, and Wellbeing, Taylor & Francis, 2023–2025
- Editor-in-Chief (in progress), Book: Regulation and Compliance in Construction Safety and Psychosocial Wellbeing: Action Plan for Policy to Practice, Taylor & Francis, 2025–present
- Co-Editor, Construction Business and Project Management Conference Proceedings, 2021, 2022
External Funder Peer Review Roles
- Full Member, Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Peer Review College, 2024–present
- Full Member, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Peer Review College, 2024–present
- Full Member, British Council Peer Review College, 2024–present
- Detailed Assessor, Australian Research Council (ARC), 2025–present
Research / Scholarly interests
1. Safety and Compliance
- Occupational Safety and Health (OSHW): Investigating people-focused safety issues, organisational responsibilities, and regulatory systems to reduce workplace accidents and improve wellbeing.
- Psychosocial Risk Management: Addressing work-related stress, mental health, and compliance behaviour to create healthy workplaces that support business and societal sustainability.
- Regulation & Compliance: Examining legal frameworks, enforcement mechanisms, and organisational strategies for meeting safety and quality standards across industries.
2. Management and Transformation
- Construction & Engineering Management: Developing socio-technical strategies for productivity, profitability, and sustainability in construction projects; exploring governance and cultural factors.
- Project Management: Investigating collaborative behaviours, risk management, and leadership approaches that influence project success and stakeholder engagement.
- Digital Transformation: Assessing the impact of emerging technologies (AI, BIM, IoT, digital twins) on project delivery, safety systems, and technology-enhanced learning environments.
3. People, Sustainability and Development
- Workforce Development: Designing inclusive curricula and capacity-building programs to address skills gaps in construction and safety sectors.
- Equality & Inclusion: Promoting gender equality and diversity in technical and leadership roles, ensuring equitable access to opportunities.
- Sustainability & ESG: Integrating environmental, social, and governance principles into workforce strategies and project delivery for long-term resilience.
- Technology-Enhanced Learning: Leveraging digital tools and partnerships to support lifelong learning and professional development.