Assoc. Prof. Dr. Obuks Ejohwomu | The University of Manchester | United Kingdom
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Obuks Ejohwomu is a Reader in Sustainable Built Environment and Head of Admissions at the University of Manchester’s School of Engineering. An internationally recognised scholar, he has significantly advanced global knowledge at the nexus of decarbonisation, infrastructure, and environmental equity. As Founder and Director of the SQUARE consortium, Dr. Ejohwomu leads efforts to improve urban air quality using low-cost real-time sensors in low-resource settings. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed works and has influenced international policies, including clean air reforms and Passivhaus-aligned standards. Dr. Ejohwomu has supervised multiple PhD projects and is a strong advocate for experiential learning, having received several accolades for excellence in education and impact. His work spans collaborations with universities in the UK, Africa, and Australia. A Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and multiple professional bodies, he continues to drive policy, education, and innovation for inclusive and sustainable urban futures.
Author Profile
Education
Dr. Ejohwomu earned his PhD in Construction Engineering and Management from the University of Wolverhampton, focusing on infrastructure delivery and project risk. He holds an MSc in Information Technology (Systems) from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, and a B.Eng. in Civil Engineering from the University of Benin, Nigeria. This multidisciplinary educational foundation underpins his transdisciplinary approach to research and teaching. He is deeply invested in advancing construction management, sustainable urban development, and digital transformation in infrastructure. His academic pathway reflects a progression from foundational engineering through advanced ICT integration to strategic infrastructure systems, enabling him to address pressing global challenges. This blend of technical, systems, and management training has equipped him to lead impactful projects like SQUARE, drive policy-relevant research, and shape emerging fields such as AI-driven cost estimation and air pollution analytics. His educational achievements have positioned him as a leading thinker in engineering sustainability and urban innovation.
Professional Experience
Dr. Ejohwomu is currently Reader in Sustainable Built Environment at the University of Manchester, having previously served as Senior Lecturer and Lecturer in Project Management. He was Senior Lecturer and Head of Department at Bells University of Technology and Lecturer at Covenant University. Prior to academia, he worked as Programme Manager at W D Consults Ltd and Research Fellow at the University of Reading. Earlier roles included Systems Engineer at Scottish Waters and Project Engineer at Lukayson Ventures. He is Visiting Scholar at the University of Lagos and leads various transnational research initiatives. In academia, he has held significant administrative roles, including Head of Admissions and PGR Group Lead. His leadership and teaching portfolio includes course development, supervising eight PhDs, and initiating international collaborations, including the GOLDEN PhD exchange with the University of Melbourne. He is also Associate Editor of the Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology.
Research Focus
Dr. Ejohwomu’s research intersects sustainability, digitalisation, urban health, and social equity, with a special focus on low-resource and rapidly urbanising environments. He leads SQUARE, a multi-country consortium that employs low-cost, real-time sensors to monitor urban air quality and inform public health interventions. His work contributes directly to SDGs 3, 11, and 13. With expertise in project management, AI, infrastructure delivery, and environmental health, his studies explore themes such as zero-carbon building, machine learning in indoor air quality, cost estimation, and construction safety. His research adopts a co-production model, integrating local communities, government, and academia. He is advancing AI-powered tools for energy efficiency and stakeholder engagement, and has influenced policy across the UK and Africa. Through strategic partnerships and PhD mentorship, Dr Ejohwomu is developing future-ready solutions for sustainable city planning, carbon neutrality, and inclusive infrastructure. His multidisciplinary approach bridges technical engineering with social impact and systems thinking.
Awards and Honours
Dr. Ejohwomu has received numerous prestigious recognitions for academic and civic excellence. He was awarded the 2024 Project Management Education Award for global impact on pedagogy, and honoured as a Manchester Heritage Hero for contributions to education and community engagement. He was also the recipient of the 2025 RISE Award for outstanding work in air pollution mitigation. His leadership in advancing construction sustainability, project management education, and community-focused research has led to invitations as keynote speaker at conferences including the CIDB South Africa, Manchester African Business Forum, and Society of Construction Law. He has served as an invited reviewer for national and international research councils such as South Africa’s NRF, the Newton Fund, the British Council, and Fulbright. As Associate Editor for the Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, he contributes to shaping scholarly discourse in sustainable construction and infrastructure development. His service reflects deep influence across academia and practice.
Notable Publications
Interpretability in Machine Learning for IAQ and HVAC Optimisation: A Response to Oka et al.
-
Authors: Godasiaei, S. H; Ejohwomu, O; Zhong, H; Booker, D
Journal: Building and Environment
Year: 2025
Framework for Prioritising Decisions in Zero Carbon Building Design
-
Authors: Too J, Hui FKP, Ejohwomu OA, Herath N, Duffield C, A
Journal: Journal of Cleaner Production
Year: 2025
Integrating Experimental Analysis and Machine Learning for Enhancing Energy Efficiency and Indoor Air Quality in Educational Buildings
-
Authors: Godasiaei, S. H; Ejohwomu, O; Zhong, H; Booker, D
Journal: Building and Environment
Year: 2025
A Practical Approach to Teaching Emerging Technologies: A Case of BIM
-
Authors: Adekunle, S; Oyeyipo, O; Aigbavboa, C; Ebekozien, A; Aliu, J; Ejohwomu, O
Journal: Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management
Year: 2025
Multi-Level Optimisation of Feature Extraction Networks for Concrete Surface Crack Detection
-
Authors: Matarneh, S, Elghaish, F, Rahimian, F, Abdellatif, E, Edwards, D, Ejohwomu, O, Abdelmegid, M, and Park, C
Journal: Developments in the Built Environment
Year: 2024
Automatic Crack Classification on Asphalt Pavement Surfaces Using Convolutional Neural Networks And Transfer Learning
-
Authors: Sandra Matarneh, Faris Elghaish, David John Edwards, Farzad Pour Rahimian, Essam Abdellatef, Obuks Ejohwomu
Journal: Journal of Information Technology in Construction
Year: 2024
Leadership Energy Theory for Sustaining Leadership Competence and Effectiveness
-
Authors: Olugboyega, Oluseye, Obuks Ejohwomu, Emmanuel Dele Omopariola, and Alohan Omoregie
Journal: Merits
Year: 2024
Conclusion
Dr. Obuks Ejohwomu is a visionary academic whose work bridges engineering innovation, digital transformation, and social impact. Through international collaborations and pioneering research, he has reshaped urban sustainability and project delivery practices. His leadership in initiatives like SQUARE, his commitment to inclusive pedagogy, and his contributions to clean air policies demonstrate a rare combination of technical excellence and civic engagement. With an interdisciplinary portfolio spanning research, teaching, and global outreach, Dr. Ejohwomu continues to drive forward solutions for a more equitable and sustainable built environment. He exemplifies academic excellence with practical, policy-driven impact across continents.