About the lecture
Professor Gorse’s lecture will explore – from a construction engineering and management perspective – the challenge of delivering a more sustainable built environment.
Plotting the historical development of science and technology, he will explore its impact on construction practice. Expanding on this theme, he will consider how current innovations may affect the construction sector – particularly transformational advances in data science which, still in their infancy, present many potential challenges and opportunities.
With innovation set to reshape construction and the built environment at a level never previously witnessed, he will consider the role of governance, management systems and emerging cultures as well as the fundamental role research and education play in developing future foresight and sector capability.
He is also keenly aware that the sector must not underestimate the knowledge and competencies required to embrace and manage the disruptive potential of smart technologies driven by artificial intelligence. He argues that industry engagement with centres of applied research offers a significant step forward – unlocking excellence, capability and diversity within the sector.
About the lecturer
Professor Chris Gorse has more than 30 years’ experience in the built environment. His interest was sparked as a child when he took every opportunity to work alongside his grandfather on civil engineering contracts. Inspired – particularly by the technical complexity, skills and people required to make the sector work – Chris embarked on his academic journey – achieving an Honours Degree in Building Engineering, Masters in Law and a PhD in Applied Psychology. His multidisciplinary background has served him well. He is an authority on management, infrastructure, energy and buildings – with an ability to solve complex problems. He draws on this knowledge when leading complex systems research.
He enjoys roles as Visiting Professor at the University of Suffolk and Central University of Technology (South Africa), engaging internationally on sustainability and lean construction. He is the founding Chair of the International Conference for Sustainable Ecological Engineering Design for Society (SEEDS) and past Chair of the Association of Researchers in Construction Management (ARCOM).
He is widely published, and worked for UKRI on the Research Excellence Framework 2021 (Architecture, Built Environment and Planning), and is an Advisor to the National Physics Laboratory.
For further information on this lecture, please contact the Events team.
