Keynote Speakers
Professor Charles Egbu
Keynote Speaker Bio
Professor Egbu joined Leeds Trinity University as Vice-Chancellor on 1 November 2020. He leads the University on all strategic matters; ensuring financial sustainability to allow the delivery of the University’s Strategic Plan, including the overall vision and values of the University. He represents the University externally at various groups including Universities UK (UUK), Million Plus, the Cathedral’s Group of Universities, University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC), Yorkshire Universities, and Leeds Learning Alliance (LLA). He works closely with industry and professional bodies, especially in the Built Environment sector, and with local communities. He was formerly the President of The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB – 2019/2020). He was admitted to the Worshipful Company of Constructors in May 2017 and received the Freedom of the City of London in 2017. He was formerly Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education & Experience, University of East London), and Dean of School of the Built Environment & Architecture (London South Bank University).
Professor Egbu’s research interests focus on project management, construction management, knowledge management, sustainable development, social justice, equality, diversity and inclusion; subjects about which he has written 15 books and contributed to more than 350 publications in various international journals and conferences. He has supervised over 30 PhD students and examined over 100 PhD candidates world-wide. In addition, he has led many construction industry commissions and working groups and acted as an external examiner to many undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in universities all over the world.
Professor Narein Perera
Keynote Speaker Bio
Professor Narein Perera is a Professor in Architecture at the Department of Architecture, University of Moratuwa, and holds a PhD in climate-sensitive design. His research expertise primarily encompasses urban-scale studies with a focus on the tropical climatic context. He is dedicated to exploring the impacts of rapid and unplanned development on tropical cities, including a “Local Climate Zone” based approach to urban planning in Colombo, Sri Lanka. At the building scale, Professor Perera’s work emphasises passive design strategies for the building envelope to ensure daylight integration, thermal comfort, and overall energy efficiency. He strives to apply the ‘lessons learned’ from his research to his architectural practice.
Professor Perera’s architectural practice is distinguished for its innovation and holistic approach to architectural solutions. Each project is approached with consideration for its specific social, climatic, contextual, and technological nuances, resulting in unique outcomes. The practice places a strong emphasis on ‘placemaking’ through a conscious and meticulous exploration of material and texture. Over its twenty-year history, his practice has achieved significant recognition for design excellence, both locally and internationally.