Dr Vivien Chow

In recent years her research approach has been applied to investigate issues around health, safety and wellbeing (HSW), equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and sustainability and the Net Carbon agenda. Vivien has conducted research on safety on construction sites, including a study on the effects of social distancing during COVID including its impact on productivity. With colleagues in SSEHS, Vivien is exploring the efficacy of using cognitive therapy in high-stress, high-performing workplace settings. Relating to corporate social responsibility and workplace policy around EDI, recent investigations include an examination of the implications of hybrid working on EDI in construction mains contractor organisations, and the complexities around managing the boundaries between site work, office work, and home life.

As we move to implement sustainability goals such as Net Zero, it is ever more important to involve and engage with end users including with members of the public. Effective public engagement relies on the ability to communicate across political divides and translate complex technical information to disseminate to laypersons. Vivien welcomes PhD research proposals that tackle sustainability goals related to the built environment and our societal responses towards an ecological case for business.

Recent Journal Publications:

• Young, P., Chow, V., Haslam, C, Wood, A. and Barker, J. (2022). Can Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) and Mindfulness be Integrated Effectively within High Performance Settings? Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-022-00475-x
• Jones, W., Gibb A.G.F. and Chow, V (2021), "Adapting to COVID-19 on construction sites: what are the lessons for long-term improvements in safety and worker effectiveness?", Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 20(1), p.66-85. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEDT-11-2020-0473
• Chow, V., & Leiringer, R. (2020). Public engagement events and the management of external stakeholders: Artefacts as boundary objects or tools of discipline and control?. Project Management Journal. 52(1), 61-74 https://doi.org/10.1177/8756972820940475
• Chow, V., & Leiringer, R. (2020). The Practice of Public Engagement on Projects: From Managing External Stakeholders to Facilitating Active Contributors. Project Management Journal. 51(1), 24-37 https://doi.org/10.1177/8756972819878346
• Loosemore, M. & Chow, V. W. (2014). Managing the health risks of extreme weather events by managing hospital infrastructure, Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 21(1), 4-32
• Loosemore, M., Chow, V. W., & Harvison, T. (2013). Inter-agency governance risk in managing hospital responses to extreme weather events in New South Wales, Australia: a facilities management perspective of shared situational awareness, Construction Management and Economics, 31(10), 1072-1082.
• Loosemore, M., Chow, V. W., & McGeorge, D. (2012). Modelling the risks of extreme weather events to Australian hospital infrastructure using rich picture diagrams Construction Management and Economics, 30(12), 1071-1086.
• Carthey, J, Chow, V, Jung, Y-M & Mills, S. (2011). Flexibility: Beyond the Buzzword - Findings from a systematic literature review, Health Environments Research & Design (HERD) Journal - Special Edition: Innovative Solutions to Achieve Flexibility and Adaptability within Healthcare Facilities, Summer, 4(4), 89-108.
• De Lorenzo, C, Chow, V. (2011). Contained Memories or Catalysts?: Some Aboriginal Memorials in Australia,  Memory Connection Journal: Contained Memories, 1(1), (451)-474, http://www.memoryconnection.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/CatherinedeLorenzoVivienChow.pdf

Her research interests around sustainability, organisational and project risk, stakeholder engagement, and collaborative work are also a strong motivator for her teaching, and she is interested in applying new and innovative teaching methods that encourage multidisciplinary teamwork and problem-based learning. 

Current Teaching Activities include:

• CVA127 Professional Practice
• CVC042 Research Dissertation
• CVC105 Sustainable Development and Stakeholder Communication 
• CVC125 Integrative Project
• CVC093 Business of Architecture
• CVP501 Principles of Project Management

Past enterprise projects have involved large UK Contractors such as MACE and Balfour Beatty, on issues relating to health, safety and wellbeing on construction projects.

Currently, Vivien works closely with Professor Chris Gorse in developing and implementing sustainable strategies within the built environment. If you are an industry representative exploring industry-academia partnerships in the above areas, please contact Vivien directly via email to discuss.

Trained as an architect, her professional work experience spans across a range of built environment settings including architecture, urban planning, project management, and property development. She has worked professionally and in academia in Australia, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. 

Vivien is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and is a member of the EDI Committee at SABCE. She is joint-programme lead to the MSc International Project Management programme which is run in partnership with the Institute of International Management at the Loughborough University London Campus.

Vivien has been treasurer to the Association of Researchers in Construction Management (ARCOM) since 2020 and was external examiner at Anglia Ruskin University from 2018 – 2022. She joined the Centre for Postdoctoral Development in Infrastructure, Cities and Energy (C-DICE) programme as a Co-Investigator in 2022.