Prof. Saheed Ajayi

Professor Saheed Ajayi is Professor of the Digital Built Environment and Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange in the School of Built Environment, Engineering and Computing at Leeds Beckett University, United Kingdom. His research integrates architecture, digital technologies, data science, and project management to advance sustainable, intelligent, and resilient built environments.

Professor Ajayi holds a first-class degree in Architecture from Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, and an MSc in Sustainable Architecture. His research focuses on digital construction, Building Information Modelling (BIM), Big Data Analytics, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning, with applications in improving construction productivity, sustainability, safety, and regulatory compliance.

He leads the Construction Informatics and Digital Enterprise Laboratory (CIDEL), where he has directed more than 25 externally funded research projects worth over £10 million, collaborating with industry partners and government agencies to develop innovative digital solutions. His notable contributions include AutoBIM, a machine learning-based platform for design automation; FireBIM, a digital tool for building safety compliance; and eBIM, an integrated platform for digital project management. His research also advances circular economy principles and sustainable construction waste management to reduce the environmental impact of the construction industry.

Professor Ajayi has authored over 130 scientific publications and is ranked among the top 2% of scientists worldwide, placing him within the top 0.5% of researchers globally in the built environment discipline. As Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange, he provides strategic leadership in research, innovation, and external partnerships while mentoring postgraduate researchers and promoting the development of a smarter, safer, and more sustainable digital built environment.